43rd Public Affairs Detachment “Marathoners” Fort Bliss, Texas

Volume 1 Issue 1 Feb/March 2012

Sgt. 1st Class Joshua Ward (kneeling) of Bakersfield, Calif., assigned to 4th Squadron, 10th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, based out of Fort Carson, Colo., conducts a pre-convoy brief to soldiers role-playing as Afghan Uniformed Police, at the Joint Readiness Training Center, Feb. 22, 2012. Security Force Assistance Teams prepare for their upcoming deployment at the JRTC in several situational training exercises culminating with a six-day scenario replicating the Afghanistan mission. (Photo by Sgt. Richard Andrade 43rd Public Affairs Detachment)

JRTC OFFERS SFATS REALISTIC TRAINING

An improvised explosive devise simulator strikes the head vehicle in a convoy lead by the 15th Security Force Assistance Team, 191st Infantry Brigade, 1st Army Divi-sion West during a live-fire exercise at the Joint Readiness Training Center and Fort Polk, La. Feb. 20, 2012. Soldiers from the 15th SFAT are trained on their combat skills and are specifically tailored to ensure the safety of their team and their Afghan counterparts. (Photo by Sgt. Jonathan W. Thomas, 43rd Public Affairs Detachment)

As the Saturday morning sun rises, Afghans trickle into a coffee shop, stores begin to open for business, po-lice officers prepare to start their shift, when suddenly an explosion breaks the silence. A vehicle-borne improvised explosive device detonates outside an Afghan Uniformed Police station. Ma-chine-gun fire echoes through the build-ings as the Afghan Uniformed Police immediately react and get in defensive positions throughout the police station.This scenario is just one of many real-istic training exercises held at the Joint Readiness Training Center and Fort Polk, La. Security Force Assistance Teams from various brigade combat teams at

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Since February 14, the 43rd Public Affairs Detachment has been deployed to the Joint Readiness Training Center and Fort Polk, La. to highlight the new objective to focus on mentoring our Af-ghan partners through the use of Secu-rity Force Assistance Teams. The 43rd Public Affairs Detach-ment has been working hard, with early morning missions and late night productions to produce and package products to be used to communicate the training and the purpose behind the SFATs. The Soldiers of 43rd Public Af-fairs Detachment have been out in the training area interviewing all echelons of leadership to include the U.S. Army Forces Command Commanding Gen-eral, Gen. Rodriguez, SFAT leaders and Observer Coach Trainers. Security Force Assistance Teams have a very important role as they begin to deploy as early as this spring to Afghan-istan. Their success will help transition the role in which the International Secu-rity Assistance Force currently operates. SFATs responsibility is to mentor their Af-ghan partners to take the lead in conduct-ing independent security operations. Their success begins at the Joint Readiness Training Center and the 43rd Public Affairs Detachment’s primary role here is to capture their training and highlight their readiness. JRTC Opera-tions Group has done an amazing job at challenging the teams. This mission has played a vital role in setting up the new focus in strategic planning of Operation Enduring Free-dom. It has been a tremendous honor to be tasked to support this mission as we are the voice of a historical change in the war in Afghanistan. A special thank you goes out to the 16th Mobile Public Affairs Detach-ment with augmenting our PAD with two highly professional non-commis-sioned officers, SGT Richard Andrade and SGT Jonathan Thomas. Also this mission could not be possible without the support from the 24th Press Camp Headquarters and the 15th Sustainment Brigade, thank you for your assistance.

Capt. Andrew Frazzano43rd Public Affairs Detachment

Story by Sgt. Richard Andrade43rd Public Affairs Detachment

COMMANDER’S MESSAGE

Joint Readiness Training Center Fort Polk, Louisiana

RESPECT THE CULTURE, RESPECT THE RELIGION,RESPECT THE PEOPLE

Afghan cultural role-players walk to a replica mosque during an exercise at the Joint Readiness Training Center and Fort Polk, La., Feb. 25, 2012. The JRTC training area is designed to replicate villages in Afghanistan, but it is the cultural role-players who provide an understanding of the Afghan way of life to soldiers and prepare them for the scenarios they may face while deployed. (Photo by Sgt. Jonathan Thomas 43rd Public Affairs Detachment)

The battlefield no longer resembles a chess match where one pawn takes another; it is a dynamic ever-changing environment where a cul-ture’s values matter, a place where one move can affect many.Security Force Assistance Teams, at the Joint Readiness Training Center and Fort Polk, La., not only learn about combat tactics, techniques, and procedures but also about the customs and courtesies of the Afghan way of life. “What we’re arming our [Soldiers] with, as they go across the ocean, is just a couple key points that are very basic; respect their religion, respect the people, respect the culture, and respect the women,” said Sgt. Maj. Doug Maddi, brigade sergeant major for 3rd Brigade 4th Infantry Divi-sion. These basic principles are being reinforced by, providing down-range feedback from Soldiers returning from deployment, and the interactions Soldiers experience with cultural role-players.When the 12- person SFAT units deploy they will advise and mentor the Afghan National Security Forces as they conduct security operations. SFAT Units are rigorously trained to defend themselves, but their primary role is to train and mentor the ANSF. The JRTC training area is designed to replicate villages in Afghanistan, which include traditional homes, businesses and mosques, but it is the cultural role-players that bring the Afghan way of life to those structures and provide Soldiers with scenarios they may face while deployed. “The best thing that JRTC does is [provide] a large percentage of cul-tural role-players out here, so, the interactions that the teams are getting while their in role is outstanding, but what’s more important are the inter-actions [the Soldiers] get with these cultural role-players when their out of

role,” Said Maddi. “It really helps our team leaders, NCOs (noncommis-sioned officers in charge) and team members to understand what’s going on culturally and what they can expect when they get down-range.”Another way SFAT units are expanding their knowledge on Afghan cul-ture is through direct interactions from subject matter experts returning from down-range. “They brought [me] and a bunch of my counter parts, that had deploy-ment experience, to come down and tell [the SFAT units] the things they may missed,” said Cpt. Tai Terry with the 401st Military Police Company. “For example the interpersonal relationships you build and how important that is to establish before you can get down to business.”Officers and NCOs from the SFAT units’ deployment location traveled from Afghanistan to Fort Polk to share their experiences and advise Sol-diers on real world events. “You can read about it, you can hear about it, you can watch a movie about it, but there’s nothing that replaces doing it. having somebody there that allows you to see that, and somebody that can say, you wouldn’t do that in Afghanistan, you shouldn’t do that in Afghanistan,” said Col. Mike kasales, commander of the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th ID. “You just won’t get-it unless you’re talking to the real thing and here we’ve got the real deal, and so it’s invaluable.” The training, SFAT units receive, at JRTC will supply them with tools to have a successful deployment but each Soldier should know how to respect the culture, people, and religion while down-range. “We feel that if we can do those basic things successfully and all the ad-vising comes together it will allow the people of Afghanistan to continue on securing themselves and having a successful way of life for the people, because it’s the people we’re really trying to impact,” said Maddi.

Story by Sgt. Jonathan W. Thomas43rd Public Affairs Detachment

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the JRTC train to mentor their Afghan National Security Forces counterparts. The training at JRTC includes several situational training exer-cises culminating with a six-day scenario repli-cating the Afghanistan mission. The most im-portant part of the training is for U.S. forces to keep their Afghan counterparts in the lead and develop a system that works. “Our sole mission is to put the Afghan po-lice in front and ensure that the people know that they have a secure environment,” said U.S. Army Lt. Col. Ceburn Gilliam, of Little Rock, Ark., assigned to the 188th Infantry Brigade, First Army, Division East, based out of Fort Stewart, Ga. One of the many aspects of the SFAT train-ing at JRTC is the use of actual Afghan civilians and replicated cities offering the most realistic training scenarios. “The ability to work with actual Afghans has been a significant help,” said Gilliam.The training lanes are meant to be as realistic as possible with cultural role-players acting as Afghan officials, soldiers, police officers and villagers making. During his team’s training at JRTC, Gilliam said his role will be to mentor the Afghan Uniformed Police and enhance their policing skills so together they can secure the province the best they can.The SFAT teams will be made up of leaders from different backgrounds including field ar-tillery, infantry, communications, logistics, and engineers. The teams will not just be made of military elements; some will include military contractors or civilians. “The SFAT training is awesome, it gives us the realism that we need,” said Maj. Kendell Robin-

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Lynn Popolski, of Buffalo, N.Y., a fire support specialist assigned to 4th Squadron, 10th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, based out of Fort Carson, Colo., pro-vides security atop the gunner’s position of his reinforced HMMWV, during a situational training exercise at the Joint Readiness Training Center on Fort Polk, La., Feb. 25. Realistic environments and role- play-ers help Security Force Assistance teams from various brigade combat teams train in the most realistic sce-narios possible prior to their deployment. (Photo by Sgt. Richard Andrade 43rd Public Affairs Detachment)

JRTC OFFERS SFATS REALISTIC TRAINING

son, of Fayetteville, N.C., 188th Inf. Bde., First Army, Division East, based out of Fort Stewart, Ga. Robinson said the training scenarios have al-lowed his team to see some real-world obstacles they have to prepare for once deployed. One of the challenges his team had to overcome was the language barrier. Communicating with their Afghan counterparts is facilitated with the use of interpreters. “It causes us to take a more critical look and kind of slow down our training process, so when we get to executing [a mission] with our part-ners; it is more of a synchronized effort,” said Robinson. After the SFAT teams finish with a training scenario, they conduct an after action review to assess the exercise and for observers coach trainers, also known as OCTs, to give their in-put. One OCT said he is passionate about the SFAT training mission. Sgt. 1st Class Andrew O’Dell, of Talladega, Tenn., assigned to the 162nd In-fantry Brigade, based in Fort Polk, La., “The [SFAT] mission is something to be very proud of,” said the cavalry scout. “This is shap-ing Afghan history, right here.” “I’ve seen it be successful [in Iraq], I know it works,” O’Dell said about the mentor/adviser role. “It is very important; it’s something to take seriously.” Prior to the SFAT training, soldiers go through an advisory academy where O’Dell is also an in-structor. SFAT teams go through the situational training exercises and learn key lessons but, “The priority is to learn how to interact with their Af-ghan counterparts downrange,” O’Dell said.

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A Soldier provides security during a situational training exercise at the Joint Readiness Training Center. Securi-ty Force Assistance Teams from various brigade combat teams train to mentor their Afghan National Security Force counterparts at Fort Polk prior to deployment. (Photo by Sgt. Richard Andrade 43rd Public Affairs Detachment)

Staff Sgt. John Lechner, fires noncommissioned of-ficer with the 15th Security Force Assistance Team, 191st Infantry Brigade, 1st Army Division West, pulls security for Afghan Uniformed Police role-players dur-ing a medical evacuation exercise at the Joint Readi-ness Training Center and Fort Polk, La.,Feb. 23, 2012. The 15th SFAT is training for their upcoming deploy-ment to Afghanistan where they will assist and train their Afghan counterparts. (Photo by U.S. Army Sgt. Jonathan W. Thomas, 43rd Public Affairs Detachment)

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U.S. Army Maj. Brant Auge, an observer coach/trainer, with the live-fire-team from the Joint Readiness Training Center Operations Group, conducts an af-ter action review upon the completion of the 15th Security Force Assistance Team, 191st Infantry Brigade, 1st Army Division West’s blank-fire exer-cise at JRTC and Fort Polk, La. Feb. 19. Auge ensured Soldiers from the 15th SFAT were informed of their strengths and weaknesses, in order to correct-ly train their Afghan counterparts and keep their team safe during their deployment. (Photo by Sgt. Jonathan W. Thomas 43rd Public Affairs Detachment)

The Security Force Assistance Team will become a key component in enhancing the strength and capabilities of the Afghan National Security Forces, but that depends on building successful SFAT units.The 15th Security Force Assistance Team, 191st Infantry Brigade, 1st Army Division West, conducted a live-fire convoy, at the Joint Readiness Training Center and Fort Polk, La., Feb. 20, in preparation for their up-coming deployment to Afghanistan. “When we go down-range our mission will be to enable the Afghan police force to take the lead and do the police work that will facilitate the security for local villagers in their district,” said Lt. Col. Carlos Schroder, commander of the 15th SFAT, 191st Inf. Brig., 1st Army Division West.SFAT units are a 12-person team composed of highly trained officers and non-commissioned officers, who will assist and mentor the ANSF as they conduct security operations. “A lot of [SFAT] members have been on multiple deployments and our past experiences will help us train the [Afghan police force] and further develop the tactics they have in place already,” said Staff Sgt. Kenneth Bourque, an Mk 19 gunner with the 15th SFAT, 191st Inf. Brig., 1st Army Division West.Adding to their experiences the 15th SFAT conducted training which in-cluded; Key Leader Engagements, live-fire target transitioning, convoy operations, casualty care under fire and casualty evacuation. “For me as a [Staff Sergeant], although I haven’t had a chance to [fire] in a long time, it was fun and it was a good refresher on exactly where I came from and what I need to be mentoring others on,” said Staff Sgt. Jacob Fizer an M240 Bravo machine-gunner with the 15th SFAT, 191st

Story by Sgt. Jonathan W. Thomas43rd Public Affairs Detachment

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15TH SFAT TRAINS TO STRENGTHEN, ENHANCE ANSF

Soldiers from the 15th Security Force Assistance Team, 191st Infantry Bri-gade, 1st Army Division West, pull security as a fire ball explodes near their con-voy during a life-fire exercise at the Joint Readiness Training Center and Fort Polk, Feb. 20. SFAT units are rigorously trained to defend themselves, but their primary role is to mentor their Afghan National Security Force counter-parts. (Photo by Sgt. Jonathan W. Thomas 43rd Public Affairs Detachment)

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FORSCOM commander visits JRTC

Gen. David Rodriguez, (left), commander, United States Army Forc-es Command, speaks to a role player, acting as an Afghan Na-tional Army soldier inside an operational coordination center-region-al at the Joint Readiness Training Center, and Fort Polk Feb. 22. (Photo by U.S. Army Sgt. Richard Andrade 43rd Public Affairs Detachment)

U.S. Army Gen. David Rodriguez, (left), commander, United States Army Forces Command, aswers questions from a reporter during his visit to the Joint Readiness Training Center, Feb. 22. Security Force Assistant Teams from various brigade combat teams are training at Fort Polk, La., for their upcoming deployment to Afghanistan where they will be advisors to Afghan National Security Forces. (Photo by U.S. Army Sgt. Richard Andrade 43rd Public Affairs Detachment)

Inf. Brig., 1st Army Division West. “A good person laying a good support by fire can change the course of the battle so I understand the importance of that.” Soldiers from the 15th SFAT are trained on their combat skills to ensure the safety of their team and are specifically tailored to mentor their Afghan counterparts. “We did a combined live-fire, we worked with our rotary assets and also did some indirect fire support while performing a key leader engagement and we even had some direct contact and [improvised explosive devices] on the way,” said Schroder “We worked our battle drills and as a result the training went extremely well, I’m very pleased with the progress the teams have made.” SFAT Units are rigorously trained to defend themselves, but their pri-mary role is to train and mentor the ANSF and understanding that role may be key to a successful mission down-range. “My interpretation on what an SFAT [unit] is: we’re the gateway on pulling out of Afghanistan, we’re there to advise the afghans and enable their police forces to stand on their own, to have good relations with the local population so that when we leave they have a nice secure foundation to build a future from,” said Fizer.

Soldiers from the 15th Security Force Assistance Team, 191st Infantry Brigade, 1st Army Division West, carry a simulated casualty to an evacuation point during an exercise at the Joint Readiness Training Center and Fort Polk, La. blank-fire range Feb. 19, 2012. Soldiers from the 15th SFAT are trained on their combat skills and are specifically tailored to ensure the safety of their team and their Afghan counter-parts. (Photo by U.S. Army Sgt. Jonathan W. Thomas, 43rd Public Affairs Detachment)

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A gunner from the 15th Security Force Assistance Team, 191st Infantry Brigade, 1st Army Division West, fires his 50-Caliber machine gun at pop-up targets during a live-fire convoy at the Joint Readiness Training Center and Fort Polk, La. Feb. 20. SFAT Units are rigorously trained to defend themselves, but their primary role is to mentor afghan units. (Photo by U.S. Army Sgt. Jonathan W. Thomas, 43rd Public Affairs Detachment)

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The 43rd Public Affairs “Marathoners” based out of Fort Bliss, Texas have deployed to the Joint Readiness Train-ing Center and Fort Polk, La. Two print journalists from the 16th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment, Sgt. Jonathan W. Thomas and Sgt. Richard Andrade, have augmented the 43rd PAD’s mission to cover the training of the Secu-rity Force Assistance Teams from various brigade combat teams as they learn to mentor and advise their Afghan National Security Force counterparts prior to deploying. The SFATs are a key step in continuing efforts to improve ANSF capability and to help them take more responsibility for the security of their country.

SSG Sobrepeña’sCuisine Corner

Today’s meal:Spicy Gumbo!

SSG Sobrepeña’sCuisine Corner

Now if there is something SSG Sobe is seri-ous about, its good gumbo, and I’m here to pro-claim that that the gumbo at The Ranch House Express is one of the best I’ve tasted. If you’ve ever been to JRTC, there are stark choices when it comes to dining venues; it’s either the local AAFES shoppette or Pizza Hut, and I’m sorry you can only eat so many personal pan pizza’s. As you know I’m not a walker, but one day I’ve

By Staff Sgt. Roland SobrepeñaFood Critic at Large43rd Public Affairs Detachment

decided cross the small parking lot to patron-ize the local eatery and man, I’m glad did! The Ranch House Express is a road side tin shack near Bldg 7828 on Entrance road at North Fort Polk. When I asked the lady at the register what good to eat, she replied “Gumbo”. Just under 6 bucks for a 32oz squat soup cup, it’s enough spicy goodness to last you though a hard day of editing footage and uploading products to DVIDS. The chicken and sausage is of the same quality of gumbo ingredients as I’ve tasted before but secret of Ranch House Ex-

press’ gumbo is the roux (a cooking mixture of flour and fat thickening sauce). Normally south-ern Louisiana gumbo sauce has a light brown or dun color, very creamy from the wheat flour and butter. Northern Louisiana gumbo sauce on the other hand use less flour and more celery and black pepper as well as chicken broth giving it that dark green, almost black constancy. It’ll clear your sinus and put a smile in your face! Four out of five stars.

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The 43rd Public Affairs Detachment

Capt. Andrew Frazzano

Staff Sgt. Roland Sobrepeña

Sgt. Jennifer Roux

Sgt. James Walker

Sgt. Jonathan Thomas

Sgt. Richard Andrade

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