The Red Warrior Path 2014 / Issue 3

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Greetings Red Warrior fam-ilies and friends! We are on month #4 here at Kandahar Airfield , and your Soldiers are braving the triple-digit heat. Since our last newsletter, we have had many encounters with enemy, secured a second Run-Off Presidential Election, have increased in combat power and have lost a precious member of our team in that of PFC Jake Wykstra. The Red Warriors are on patrol 24/7 in partnership with the Afghan Army and Po-lice: our active defense of Dand and Daman Districts are pro-ducing results and enabling the retrograde and drawdown of US and coalition forces with little to no incident.

The Presidential Run-Off Election went off without a hitch. Regardless of the protests in Kabul, I believe that this will all be sorted out by 2 August, and an announcement of the

new President will be made. With it comes the signing of the Bi-lateral Security Agreement and an official partnership pact for securitys sake made between our two nations. Presently, Af-ghans everywhere are enjoying the Muslim holy month of Ram-azan . Afghans must fast and pray by day, and typically eat and celebrate with friends and relatives at night. As such, we have shifted our operations con-cept to focus our efforts when our Afghan partners can execute missions with us. The Red War-riors will also say farewell to the 4th Infantry Division the par-ent HQ for Regional Command-South. The Transfer of Au-thority (TOA) between the 4th ID and 1st CAV Division will be on 7 July. Fort Carson will be happy to see the division come back home!

We welcome back Dog Company as they assume re-

sponsibilities as a battle space owner in AO Red Warrior. We also have re-integrated 2nd Pla-toon Arrowhead Company from FOB Apache and have sent the Scout Platoon to replace them in Zabul, Province. To assist with our active defense of Kandahar Airbase, we welcome 2nd Pla-toon, Baker Company 2-12 IN and Apache Company, 2-12 IN. They join our ranks in July as Spin Boldak and FOB Walton transfer to our Afghan allies. The Lethal Warriors will make us stronger in the days ahead. Comanche Company and Beast Company continue to take the fight to the enemy in Daman and Dand Districts. Arrowhead is now consolidated and is my largest company with the re-sponsibility of protecting our combat advisors: all 8 SFAT teams! Hatchet is now 100% on the staff or on ARF mission: Mortars and Scouts go head to head again! Eagle Company keeps us on the road and con-stantly fixes our weapons and vehicles to make us mission

(Continued on page 3)

The Summer Fight by LTC Dave Voorhies

The Red Warriors

are on patrol 24/7

in partnership

with the Afghan

Army and Police.

Page 2 THE RED WARRIOR PATH

THE RED WARRIOR PATH is published by 1st Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment (Light) for the families and friends of Red Warrior Soldiers. 1-12 Infantry (L) is part of Task Force Mountain Warrior (4 IBCT, 4 ID). The task force is currently deployed to Afghanistan, Regional Command South, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Contents of THE RED WARRIOR PATH are not necessarily the official view of, or endorsed by, the U.S. government or the Department of Defense. Please send all questions or comments about THE RED WARRIOR PATH to CH (CPT) Jeremie Vore at [email protected].

ON THE FRONT COVER: (FRONT) Beast Company, Task Force 1-12IN Soldiers patrol a wheat field in order to deny terrain to insurgent networks.

LTG Caslen, Superintendent of the United States Military Academy, and Jeff Monken, Head Football Coach for the Army Black Knights, meet with Red Warrior

West Point Graduates at KAF.

VOLUME 2, ISSUE 3

The Summer Fight (continued)

Thank you all for

your continued

love, support and

prayers. Our

mission is tough,

but we are

tougher.

ready. As we move into the high point of the fighting sea-son, the Red Warriors stand ready and with our greatest amount of strength to defend our fellow Soldiers and our base .

To break up the grinding

(Continued from page 2)

The PSD receives a patrol brief prior to leaving on a mission.

pace of our ongoing operations and reconnaissance/surveillance patrols, we will have an Inde-pendence Day BBQ and series of sports and shooting competi-tions for the Soldiers. Your Soldiers will have an opportuni-ty to compete in everything from Powerlifting to Cornhole to Dodgeball. We will also have live music from several of our officers and NCOs that purport-edly have musical talent during the open mike period in the evening.

I again would like to thank our supporters and donors for supporting our Soldiers with care packages and notes from home. These are essential and huge morale lifters! Mr. Mike Pfalmer from Coors and Mr. Tom Torres from FOB Colora-do continue to lift our spirits and help our families out back home. Aunt Cathy Praino,

my friend from Bronx, New York has also supported our warriors in harms way and we are truly grateful!

In closing, I want to re-member our fallen warrior, PFC Jacob Wykstra. Like many young Soldiers, his heart was too big and his time with us too short. He represented the very best of us. We kit-up every day in his honor, and we will contin-ue to make his service to this battalion and his Nation matter. Words cannot express my con-dolences for this profound loss to his family, his friends and his unit. We have dedicated our back-page of this letter to his memory.

Thank you all for your con-tinued love, support and pray-ers. Our mission is tough, but we are tougher. We will contin-ue to attack. We are led by love of country.

-LTC William D. Voorhies RW6

Beast Company assembles for a Battalion Combat Badge Ceremony.

Alpha CompanyFrom the Tip of the Spear by CPT Erik Anderson

Although the days

are hot, they seem

to pass by in a

flash as we

remain busy and

focused on our

mission.


Dear Families and Friends of Arrowhead Company,

Its a hot June afternoon in

Kandahar and the Run-Off Elections of Afghanistan, alt-hough complete, remain the focus of your Arrowhead Sol-diers. Initial reports indicate success, with millions of Af-ghans casting their vote in the presidential race between Abdul-lah Abdullah and Ashraf Ghani.

The Soldiers of Arrowhead Company played a critical role in ensuring preparations were made for the many polling sites within our Area of Operations. Additionally, we focused on confirming that our Afghan National Security Force partners were organized to guard these sites and various other critical locations throughout the area.

Your Soldiers provided escort and security to multiple Security Force Advisor Teams (SFATs) during the day of the run-off elections, enabling them to interact with their partners and provide critical guidance during a key date in the history of Afghanistan. Their hard work has paid off. Countless hours spent preparing, assessing, and securing by your Soldiers has enabled Afghans to once again cast their vote. A job well done by all, I could not be more

proud of everything this compa-ny has accomplished.

In addition to preparing for the Run-Off Elections of Af-ghanistan, the company has been busy reorganizing for the assumption of a new mission set, and more importantly, with the welcoming back of 2nd Pla-toon!

Upon relief of their mission at FOB Apache, 2nd Platoon rejoined the Arrowhead team and now works and lives along-side their brothers on Kandahar Airfield. They have spent the last few days getting organized and conducting critical training events in order to prepare for their upcoming assignment in support of the company mis-sion.

In addition to reintegrating 2nd Platoon, Arrowhead has welcomed several new and re-turning faces to the company. 2LT Sutton assumed the duty as the Company Fire Support Of-ficer and Operations Officer, as 1LT Roberts has moved on to a new job with 2-77 Field Artillery and 2LT Moore has stepped up as the Platoon Leader for 2nd Platoon.

The mortars, under the direction of SSG Baker, are back from D Company. SPC Ogea has assumed the duties as

the company senior medic and 2nd Platoon welcomed six new faces: SPC Oliver, PV2 Donald, SSG Drawdy, PFC Lalarank, SPC Whittlesey, and PFC Poy-nor.

In closing, it is hard to be-lieve that June has come and gone with such speed. Although the days are hot, they seem to pass by in a flash as we remain busy and focused on our mis-sion.

Your outstanding support and continuous supply of pack-ages and letters is much appreci-ated - mail day is one of the best days of the week!

Finally, we honor the ser-vice and remember the life of PFC Jacob Wykstra. On June 5th a memorial ceremony was held on KAF to honor Jacob. We send our sincere thanks and appreciation to all of those back home who are assisting the Wykstra family during this diffi-cult time.

Please continue to reach out through the Family Readiness Group if you have questions, wish to become involved, or are interested in the many resources that are available to military families. Well be home before

you know it. ARROWHEAD 6

Gunners from 1st Platoon, Arrowhead Company take time to pose for a photo prior to a mission.

SPC Burke enjoys some video games during downtime.

VOLUME 2, ISSUE 3

SGT Ellensohn, 1st Platoon, pulling security during a dismounted operation.

Arrowhead Company vehicles move through the area during sunset.

SGT Apolinar providing security during a Key Leader Engagement.

The stifling Afghan sun falls on each Beast Soldier as the June heat submerges our bodies into its definite presence. The taste of grit can be crunched in between our teeth when biting down. Sweat drenches the body underneath our armor. Beast Soldiers climb mountains, search encampments, patrol villages, hop farming creeks and stick in the mud in local crop fields while weeding out the enemy from his hiding places. The men of Beast company are doing exactly what they were built, bred and trained for.

It comes to the mind of this writer that we are the last of the Operation Enduring Free-dom Infantry lineage to do what it is we are doing. Nearly all units in theatre are now focused on operations inside an outpost. Whether it is advising locals, providing retrograde support for redeployment or base defense, it is rare that a unit leaves the comfort of a fortified base and ventures into the Afghan coun-tryside. But this is exactly what the Blackfoot Beasts do.

2nd PLT is now back with its family, and the Company is whole once again. We keep the repetitive nature of daily patrols fragmented by conducting Com-pany events. We have trained one another on several occa-sions in the deadly art of Dodge Ball. One must not only dodge, duck, dip , dive and dodge a ball while on KAF, but also while outside these confinesMaybe. Events like these help develop our Company team on different levels and provide a good purge of tension.

The Company has contin-ued this with award ceremonies and promotions. Steven Delga-do has once again increased in grade, now to the rank of Ser-geant. His promotion was fol-

lowed by many more including Soldiers like Arturo Rodriguez, Jeffrey Jordan and Eric Kilgore who have risen to the rank of Specialist. Additionally, multiple brave members of the 3rd PLT distinguished themselves by being awarded the Combat In-fantryman badge. Leadership of the Company certainly swells with pride at these events.

Our mission in the Dand District of Kandahar Province, Afghanistan remains clear. We protect the base and Coalition Forces from the enemy, assist the government in the momen-tous post election success and hold the ground for future units to retrograde through our battle space. The Company continues to execute these tasks with an aggressive lead and a will to finish this war before its transi-tion; stronger than any former unit that has operated in our current retained ground.

Support from home is overwhelming with a large, steady stream of letters and care packages flowing into the office for Soldiers to pick up. The Company cannot thank all of you enough. Nothing quite says morale like a box of homemade cookies, a few extra pair of new socks and a letter from the woman you love. The men of Beast company miss their loved

ones, their homes and their country.

But the honor of the mis-sion is certain. It keeps us grate-ful to be a part of such a crucial year in the life of the Army, a year that will witness the first true success of a democratic government through the elec-toral process of the Afghan peo-ple assisted by one of the last Infantry units to patrol this land during the 15th deployment of Operation Enduring Freedom.

The Company will firmly plant its footprint in the history of this war and the stamp left behind in the soil will be black.-BLACKFOOT 6

Bravo CompanyThe Blackfooted-Beast Lumbers On by CPT Luke Rella


Nothing quite

says morale like a

box of homemade

cookies, a few

extra pair of new

socks and a letter

from the woman

you love.

3rd Platoon assembles during Operation Renegade Fury III.

SPC Shurter targets an opponent.

VOLUME 2, ISSUE 3

PFC Yazzi and SPC Gray examine their sector of fire while on patrol.

SGT Burruss calls for air support to scan the patrols outer perimeter. CPT Rella briefs his men during a Company Combined Arms Rehearsal.

THE RED WARRIOR PATH

Charlie CompanyContinuing to Serve by CPT Jason Kruck

The amount of

support we have

received is truly a

large reason

morale in

Companche

Company has

remained high.

Comanche Company Family and Friends,

The summer is here in Kandahar. Your Soldiers have been maintaining constant pa-trols with temperatures exceed-ing 100 degrees every day. We would all like to thank you for the support from home, wheth-er its care packages, letters, or

the frequent contact from emails, phone calls, and video chats. The amount of support we have received is truly a large reason morale in Comanche Company has remained high.

The Company has main-tained our high level of perfor-mance by conducting multiple Company level operations to

disrupt the enemy.

While we did have a close call last month, thankfully the Company came out OK and has continued our mission. Your Soldiers were recognized for their actions that day by receiv-ing either the Combat Infantry-man Badge, Combat Action Badge, or Combat Medical Badge. Several Soldiers also re-ceived a Purple Heart for their wounds suffered that day. Lucki-ly, most have completely recov-ered.

Some other highlights across the Company are noted in the captions of the photos on these pages. Thank you again for your continued support. Please

feel free to reach out to the FRG at any time. We all look forward to making it safely home to you all.

Sincerely,

CPT Jason Kruck &

1SG Josh Thomas

Strong Men are Harder to Kill

LTG Anderson visiting leaders from Comanche Company

VOLUME 2, ISSUE 3

MG LaCamera coins Comanche Soldiers.

2nd Platoon prepares for a patrol during the rain.

2LT Jenkins receives his combat patch from his platoon.

SPC Navejar changes a flat tire on patrol.

SGT Radcliffe and SPC White fly the Companys Raven UAV.

SSG LaMarcus Bullock.

1SG Thomas making sure the shrapnel is still in his leg.

Weapons training with Slovakian Army Soldiers.


ment since we have been mar-ried. Next is a lady that all of you know, Michele Edling. She has been my FRG leader since I took command last year and works tirelessly to ensure the Families of Dog Company are taken care of. Thank you so much for your hard work and friendship, Michele. Finally is our FRG treasurer, Michelle Sozerman. Thank you so much for being a good steward of our FRG resources and for your willingness to help out with the FRG.

Feel free to send any ques-tions you have about your Sol-diers to [email protected] (works here and back at Fort Carson) or [email protected]

(Afghanistan specific). Led By Love of Country,

CPT Gabriel C. Manis CPT, IN Commanding

Delta CompanyMoving, and Moving On by CPT Gabe Manis

Commanding Dog

Company has

undoubtedly been

the high-point of

my Army Career

and one of the

most fulfilling

things I have ever

done with my life.

Dog Company Families,

I hope this newsletter finds you all enjoying your summer. The last month has marked a lot of change for Dog Company. Not only did we transition our mission, but we gained back 1st Platoon, and now fall in under 1-12IN for all of our missions and administrative functions again. Additionally, 4th Platoon will be coming back to Dog Company sometime in mid-July.

The next big change for Dog Company will come on July 30th, when I change out Command with CPT Jim Lee, currently assigned to the 4th BDE S3 Shop. I want to use this newsletter as an opportunity to recognize the Families and Soldiers of Dog Company that I have been fortunate enough to lead over the past 14 months.

Commanding Dog Compa-ny has undoubtedly been the high-point of my Army Career

and one of the most fulfilling things I have ever done with my life. I wake up every morning excited for the day ahead and never lose sight of what a privi-lege it is to be leading this or-ganization. The reason for all of this is that your Soldiers are the most disciplined, hardworking, and enthusiastic Soldiers I have ever had the privilege of work-ing with. Thank you for your continued support of your Sol-diers. You enable them to ac-complish truly incredible tasks on a daily basis.

I also want to use this op-portunity to thank a few special people in particular. First, is my wife, Kerri. She is my best friend and has been incredibly patient and understanding with me over the past years worth of late

nights, weekend calls, weeklong field training exercises, a trip to the National Training Center and of course our third deploy-

Soldiers from 1st Platoon, Dog Company help each other over a large wall during combat operations in Central Kandahar Province.

VOLUME 2, ISSUE 3

SGT Wolf, a Squad Leader in 2nd Platoon, Dog Company, carries an AT-4 shoulder-launched rocket as he prepares to execute a Combined Arms Breach in Eastern Kandahar Province.

An OH-58D Kiowa helicopter overwatches Soldiers of 2nd Platoon, Dog Company while they conduct recovery operations in Dand District, Kandahar Province.


Echo CompanyHot at Work by CPT Matt Howard

As the mission

here dwindles

down, we will be

focusing on

retrograde

throughout

Afghanistan.

Distro Platoon after a long overnight mission.

boost for the company. Every time the mail handlers enter the CP with mail, Soldiers eyes light

up like it is Christmas. In the upcoming months

the Company will be busy as always. As the mission over here dwindles down, we will be focusing on retrograde through-out Afghanistan. Both equip-ment and personnel numbers will go down and Eagle Compa-ny will be standing by to support any mission at hand.

Back at home, we would like to congratulate the Pena family on their new addition to the family. We have also re-deployed three Soldiers that will soon depart the Army and move on to the next step of their fu-ture. Thank you for your service, dedication and the best of luck in the future, SGT Wright, SPC Scott, and SPC Jimenez. We will continue to re-deploy those in the upcoming months who will also be transitioning out of the Army.

We would also like to send congratulations to all of our re-enlistments over the past two

(Continued on page 13)

Greetings friends and family of Eagle Company,

I would like to start by say-ing thank you for all the support from those back in Colorado and around the country. Your support and thoughts are truly what keeps us going and antici-pating the return home to every-one. The past two months have been busy, from support to as-sisting in the security of Kanda-har Airfield.

Over the past two months, maintenance platoon has dili-gently worked to maintain the vehicles that are being used non-stop and driven in the 100+ degree heat that has arrived. Although hot, the maintenance bay has an air conditioning sys-tem better than any office in the area.

The mechanics continue to kick butt as they work daily to keep the fleet fully operational. The initial rush when we first arrived has ended and the focus is now on maintaining and at-tempting to stay ahead of the work load. However, the work has definitely not been limited to the wheeled vehicle mechanics; the specialty shops have been working hard to service all the night vision devices and weap-ons in the entire battalion, which is no small feat!

Outside of work, mainte-nance continues to find ways to make the time on KAF more enjoyable. At least once a week, they utilize the turf field at the KAF board walk to play foot-

ball, Frisbee, as well as soccer with our partners from Slovakia. The competitiveness has raised morale in the platoon and gener-ally drawn them all together as a team.

Distro Platoon continues to support elements on multiple day missions, deliver supplies to our Afghan partners, and meet

with the multitude of local Af-ghan training facilities that sur-round Kandahar Airfield. Dis-tro Platoon has become a multi-faceted element able to conduct any mission tasked with.

Headquarters continues to monitor and track the daily op-erations of the company and ensure all Soldiers are taken care of. During the month of May, HQ platoon was responsible for relocating the Command Post from one building to another. Soldiers, NCOs and officers of HQ pitched in by moving furni-ture, computers, radios and all the graphics needed to run Ea-gle Companys operations. They

made great use of their experi-ence moving from post to post in the Army and completed the whole move in one day!

The supply section has been diligently turning in equipment that we fell in on when we first arrived into theater. Kandahar Airfield is downsizing as the war winds down and in order to meet requirements, HQ platoon has been removing property without degrading operations. As always, mail is a huge morale

VOLUME 2, ISSUE 3

Hot at Work (continued)

months, SPC West, SPC Rob-erts, SPC Gallardo, SPC King, SPC Knudson, SPC St. John, SPC Foley, and SGT Man-tanona.

The care packages continue to pour in from a variety of sources including: the chaplain, volunteer organizations, and family members. We all enjoy munching on the various goods throughout the work day. Again, we thank you for your generosity and thoughtfulness.

CPT Howard

(Continued from page 12)

Both equipment

and personnel

numbers will go

down and Eagle

Company will be

standing by to

support any

mission at hand.

PFC Dawkins receives his promotion paperwork during a promotion ceremony.

Maintenance platoon conducts classes on recovery procedures.

SFC Morales receives his combat patch after 30 days in country.

1SG Meza demonstrates his weapon cleaning skills.

SOLDIERS AT KANDAHAR AIR-

FIELD (KAF)

NAME (NO RANK)

TF RED WARRIOR

PLT/COMPANY/1-12IN

KANDAHAR AIRFIELD

APO, AE 09355

UNIT ADDRESS LIST


SOLDIERS IN ZABUL

NAME (NO RANK)

ARF, TF RED WARRIOR

SCOUTS/HHC/1-12IN

FOB APACHE, ZABUL

APO, AE 09383

MAIL SERVICE IS AVERAGING 10-12 DAYS

WHEN SENDING MAIL TO AFGHAN-ISTSAN, FILL IN THE BOLD SECTIONS WITH INFOR-MATION SPECIFIC

TO YOUR SOLDIER.

NEVER INCLUDE RANK FOR SECURITY

REASONS

As we reach the four month mark in our deployment to Kan-dahar, we find ourselves diving head first into the stifling sum-mer months, full of triple digit degree days and stunning hand-tans. Hatchet Company and the Red Warrior Battalion have been extremely busy since the last time this newsletter was published, as we continue to set the conditions for Afghans to take the lead.

Due in part to the planning efforts of the Red Warrior staff sections, our Afghan counter-parts effectively secured numer-ous polling sites throughout our battalions area of operations

allowing a safe and free election on 14 June. The staff continues to do an outstanding job on a daily basis as it supports the companies in completing their mission.

The Mortar Platoon contin-ues to do an outstanding job as the Aerial Reaction Force based out of KAF. Their success as the KAF ARF is a direct result of their relentless training regi-men that includes sling load training with helicopters, ad-vance marksmanship training, mortar training, medical train-ing, and physical training.

Due to a tragic helicopter crash on 28 May, the Scout Pla-toon joined its sister platoon as

HHCHatchet Company Changing and Growing by 1LT Tyler Cline

I cannot begin to

tell you how much

your support has

meant and

continues to mean

to all of us on a

daily basis

whether through

care packages,

letters, email, or

prayers.

it quickly assumed responsibili-ties as the Zabul Province Aerial Reaction Force out of FOB Apache. The platoon leadership has done an outstanding job in preparing their soldiers for such an important and exacting task. Although they spend much of their day training and conduct-ing rehearsals and although there arent as many gyms and

DFACs as KAF, they have man-aged to find time to enjoy the cooler weather and resort-ish feel to the exclusive FOB Apache.

The Medical Platoon just recently transitioned from the Red Warrior footprint to the KAF Role 3 Facility, a giant hospital, where they are now running outpatient care. They are now responsible for not only Red Warrior soldiers, but all coalition soldiers on KAF. De-spite the gravity and scale of the task, the Medical Platoon is more than up for it.

The PSD Platoon is seem-ingly the only element that has not moved or transitioned to a new job; however, they do have some new faces. 1LT Daniel Yu moved over from Comanche Company to be the PSD Pla-toon Leader and SFC Alfonso Delagarza, once a member of staff now freed, has become the PSD Platoon Sergeant. Despite

losing personnel for medical reasons, PSD still continues to do an outstanding job day in and day out.

To the families and friends

of Hatchet Company and the

Red Warrior Battalion, I cannot

begin to tell you how much your

support has meant and contin-

ues to mean to all of us on a

daily basis whether through care

packages, letters, email, or pray-

ers. We will continue to need

that support in the upcoming

months as we continue to work

and partner with our Afghan

counterparts to ensure the safety

of Americans and Afghans alike.

HATCHET 5

SOLDIERS AT WALTON

NAME (NO RANK)

TF RED WARRIOR

4/D/1-12IN

FOB WALTON, KANDAHAR

APO, AE 09637

From right to left: SGT Marshall, SPC Estrada, and SPC Allsbrook in the

TOC.

VOLUME 2, ISSUE 3

CPTs Brown & Martin work to perfect their briefing. The Scout Platoon prepares for an Aerial Reconnaissance over AO Red Warrior.

SSG Brownlee is promoted by MAJ Valimont. The staff enjoys some free cigars courtesy of CigarsForWarriors.net.

WE WILL NEVER FORGET

Private First Class Jacob Henry Wykstra was born 14 July 1992 in Louisville, Colorado. He enlisted in the United States Army on 20 May 2013. He graduated Basic Training and Advanced Individual Training as an 11B Infantryman at Fort Benning, Georgia from Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 19th Infantry. PFC Wykstra arrived at Fort Carson, Colorado on 15 September 2013 and began his individual readiness training to pre-pare for deployment with the 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team. On 30 January 2014, he arrived to FOB Apache in Afghanistan as a member of the Aerial Reaction Force. PFC Wykstra served with the platoon for 4 months as a rifleman on over 30 missions and multiple ISAF Air Op-erations. His awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Good Con-duct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal w/ Campaign Star, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Overseas Service Ribbon, and the Army Service Ribbon. PFC Wykstra is survived by his wife, Katherine and his parents, Heidi Katzenbach and Thomas Wykstra.

14 July 1992 29 May 2014

To Wykstra, you are the funniest guy I have ever met. Thank you for always making me laugh and sharing the love of our obsession with Tuna the dog. You were the epitome of an Infantryman. You were relentless. You

were always there, now and forever. You were the Infantry and I would have followed you anywhere. -SPC Bramlett

We will always remember Private First Class Jacob Wykstra as the hero that he was, a hero whose story began

long before the fateful evening he was taken from this earth. -CPT Anderson, Arrowhead 6

PFC Wykstra was a great Soldier, but he was an even better human being. I hold him in the highest regard as a professional Soldier and a person. His service to his Nation: exemplary. His training proficiency and apti-

tude: the top 1%. His potential for future responsibility and leadership: without bounds. His notoriety, attitude and laugher among his peers: infectious.

-LTC Voorhies, Red Warrior 6

The Red Warrior Path 2014 / Issue 3

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