VOLUME 1 ISSUE 1

JUNE 2011

DESPERADO NEWSLETTER
IRAQ

FOB COBRA

9 D
DESPERADO 6
Desperados are now fully in charge of our logistical mission in Iraq!!! We are on the move and making the mission happen. We went through a transition period with the previous unit, and are now in the drivers seat. The Distribution platoon are our road dogs. They support our brothers at the check points with whatever support needed. We combined elements from each section of the Troop to make a security element for our combat logistical patrols. We have our food service , mechanics and medic soldiers hitting the road making it happen for the Squadron. Our Distribution platoon also provides sustainment for FOB Cobra. They provide bulk water support, fuel and transportation support. So, as you can see, our Distro guys are very busy!! Our maintenance platoon is doing outstanding as well. The maintenance Soldiers are working hard maintaining the Squadrons fleet. Our generator mechanics are some of the hardest working Soldiers here on the FOB. The generator mechanics have been working non stop on the generators to keep our check points and FOB going. Im real proud of the motivation and professionalism these maintenance Soldiers posses to keep the mission going. The HQ section is also doing great things. They run our operations cell, DFAC, medical section, supply room and command post. Our HQ section also coordinates our FOB Cobra logistical support. Our food service section along with our civilian contractors prepare three wonderful meals for us daily. Our food service Soldiers also support the line Troops at the check points by providing meals for them on a daily basis. Desperado Soldiers are working very hard supporting the Squadron. Most of us are very happy with FOB Cobra. It has exceeded most of our expectations. Personally, I thought that FOB Cobra was going to be very primitive; however it has everything I need and more. So, (for the most part ) our basic needs are taken care of and the morale is very high. We appreciate all the support and the love from the families back home. The Soldiers are enjoying receiving care packages; keep them com-

Inside this issue:

HQ PLATOON 2

FOB COBRA
FOB Cobra has plenty of things to offer us! Like the MWR, barbershops, a coffee shop, pool hall, computer labs, DVD shop, and a lovely DFAC. Because of our fast pace and very busy schedule, the Soldiers enjoy having these activities like the internet, and MWR to help relax when time permits. There are few things here on Fob Cobra that may catch ones eye; One trend that has become famous is the shaved head. Our barber here is a little heavy on the clippers, resulting in a lot of Soldiers having both intentional and unintentional shaved heads. Now known as the Cobra Cut. When Soldiers go out on missions, they often wear the Army Combat Shirt. The shirt has a distinct form fitting shape that catches the eye.; its been tagged as The Sexy Shirt. Another trend here on Cobra is diet drinks. Everybody is drinking diet sodas, in the DFAC, in the CP, in the motor pool, everywhere you go, somebody is drinking a diet soda. Another eye catching trend here is look a likes. Some of Soldiers share an uncanny resemblance to each other and becomes quite the talk of the town!
Below: SFC Alexander sporting the sexy shirt and a diet soda SPC Bailey showing off his shaved head . SPC Losee and PFC Anderson have been mistaken as twins SSG Daniels and SPC Hewitt have an uncanny resemblance .

DISTRIBUTION PLATOON

MAINTENANCE PLATOON

PHOTO OPS

DEDICATION TO SGT BEARD

Page 2

DESPERADO NEWSLETTER

HQ HELLIONS PLATOON
The Operations cell is sometimes like a mad house.
The HQ section consists of, the Command Post, Operations Cell, Supply, Medical and the Food Service Section. The HQ section maintains our steady state logistical operations. The Ops cell manages FOB support, coordinates check point support and the Combat logistical patrols . The operations cell is sometimes like a mad house! At any given moment, there may be several people in our little Ops cell all attempting to coordinate support. The Operations cell is led by newly promoted CPT Jonathan Lent, the Troop XO. The Ops cell has done an amazing job controlling the Desperado logistical operations. The other members of the HQs Platoon, the Food Service Section. The Food Service Section is led by SFC Alexander. Everyone enjoys an excellent variety of meals provided by the DFAC. The DFAC feeds over 700 Soldiers and civilians daily. Our Soldiers at the Check Points also enjoy meals provided by the Food Service Soldiers. The DFAC provided special meals and displays for important events including Veterans Day, the Armys Birthday, and Fathers Day.

ABOVE: 1SG Weed and his new toy. Who gave 1SG a bull horn? LEFT: PFC Cusack in the Ops cell communicating with our Combat Logistical Patrol. RIGHT: The Army Birthday Cake

LEFT: Food Service Soldiers with civilian contractors preparing for the Armys Birthday celebration. BELOW: HQ / DEFAC Soldiers smiling for the camera

VOLUME 1 ISSUE 1

Page 3

DISTRO PLATOON TONKA

The Distro Platoon has pushed out over 16,000 gallons of fuel to the Check Points
The Distribution platoon and the Desperado security element hit the road to provide logistical support to our check points. They support the Squadron with fuel, water, food and maintenance. I am so proud of the teamwork and commitment of these Soldiers. I could not ask for a better group of Soldiers to conduct this mission. The Distro Platoon is led by 2LT Carl Rennie and SSG Kendrick Daniels. This Platoon flourished under their leadership and is continuing to do great things here in Iraq. The Distro platoon has some of the most experienced and professional NCOs that I have ever met. Im confident in the leadership that this platoon has. These Soldiers are motivated and proud of the work they do, both at the check points and here on FOB Cobra. This month, they took over the mission from 2-14 CAVs LST. It was a smooth transition (for the most part) that only lasted a couple of days. Since, then, the Distro guys and gals have completely took over the mission and have provided outstanding support!! So far, the Distro platoon has pushed out over 16,000 gallons of fuel, 35 pallets of bottled water and over 60 pallets of food to the Soldiers at the Check points. They have provided over 165,ooo gallons of fuel, over 90 pallets of water and over 20 transportation movement requests to support FOB operations here on Cobra. Theses amazing accomplishments proves without a doubt that, Nothing happens until something moves- Transportation Corps unofficial motto.

Nothing happens until something moves

ABOVE: SGT Brown having fun providing support for FOB Cobra.

The Distro Platoon is led by 2LT Carl Rennie and SSG Kendrick Daniels.

ABOVE : The Distro platoon and the Desperado Security element preparing to conduct a Combat Logistic Patrol to the Check Points. RIGHT: SSG Daniels, SPC Powell, and SGT Williams finishing their breakfast before hitting the road.

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DESPERADO NEWSLETTER

MAINTENANCE Wrench PLATOON

The maintenance platoon hit the ground running and hasnt stopped since! The maintenance section keeps the Squadron moving..literally!! These are the hardest working Soldiers I have ever seen. The maintenance platoon is led by 2LT Jennifer Williams and SFC Benjamin Boyd (pictured below). The maintenance section began operations by conducting technical inspections on over 125 of the Squadrons vehicles to ensure that the vehicles were fully mission capable to begin operations. The commo section has been extremely busy providing communication support to the Troop. SPC Mercado (pictured below) and his team have worked really hard to ensure the Command Post and all the Desperado fleet were up and running on communication support. The biggest and most critical support this month has by far been generator maintenance. Our GSE section has worked on over 30 generators from the Check Points and over 20 generators on the FOB. SGT Johnson and his team( pictured below) have worked long days and long nights repairing generators to ensure that the Check Points are operational. The Desperado team and the Dark Horse Squadron appreciate the hard work and dedication that the maintenance team has put in this month to ensure the success of the mission. GO ORDNANCE!!

The Maintenance section keeps the Squadron moving.literally.!!

The Maintenance Platoon leadership: 2LT Jennifer Williams, and SFC, Benjamin Boyd with SPC Alba and SPC Fortin

SPC Mercado getting our communication systems up and running.

Everybody loves the generator mechanics!!!

The Maintenance Platoon has conducted over 125 technical inspections, 35 QA/QCs, and 16 services for the month of June.

SPC Litteken providing maintenance on an MRAP The Clerks

THANKS FOR THE LOVE

The one thing that our Desperados look forward to more than anything: including chow, internet, and phones, is MAIL. Its like Christmas time when the BSB (Brigade Support Battalion) CLP (Combat Logistical Patrol) shows up with mail. The Soldiers all run up to CP and ask Did I get mail? The Soldiers have received everything from Amazon.com packages, hygiene supplies, blankets, snacks, teddy bears and coloring books (yes, coloring books). The Soldiers appreciate the special packages sent by friends and family members to brighten up their day. Keep the mail coming! We love you too!!! PFC Schulte receives a very nice smelling deer blanket.

1LT Gibson smiles like a little school girl after receiving her first package. So far shes probably received more

SGT Lopez receives a care package from his

Its like Christmas time when we receive mail

1LT Gibson received her 4th of July gifts a little early!!

PFC Sullivan is very happy to receive a fresh

PFC Laguana receives an Air Force teddy bear in the mail.

Soldiers love teddy bears too. SPC Robins receives a teddy in her care package. 2LT Rennie shows off his little Chinook SPC Vasquez is excited about receiving some hot sauce and Oreos.

GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTON

Pictured: SGT Beard (left) SGT Williams (Right)

SGT Bryan D. Beard

This month we lost a member of our team that was loved by many. SGT Bryan Beard passed away on 12 June 2011 from injuries sustained in a motor cycle accident. SGT Beard was a member of our Distribution Platoon. He served as the Fuel Section Sergeant. He enlisted in the Army in 1997 and had an outstanding career. He served the army in Korea, Fort Stewart, GA, Fort Hood, TX., and multiple deployments to Iraq. We remember our brother for the good times we shared with him and his hard charging personality. The Soldiers and leaders of the Desperado and Dark Horse family said goodbye to SGT Beard during his memorial ceremony on 18 June 2011. We will miss you, but you are not forgotten.

SUSTAIN THE LEGEND!!! DESPERADOS.

D FSC History
The 15th Forward Support Battalion was constituted on 23 March 1925 as the 1st Medical Squadron. The battalion was assigned to the 1st Calvary Division on 25 March 1949. The unit was redesigned as the 15th Medical Battalion. On 15 September 1985 the 15th Medical Battalion was inactivated at Fort Hood TX with elements being incorporated in the newly formed 2nd Forward Support Battalion and was re-designed as the 15th Forward Support Battalion. In 2005, as part of the transformation of the 1st Calvary Division to the US Army Modular Force Structure. D Co 4 -9 was activated on 08 July 2005 as the organic Cavalry Squadron assigned to the reorganized re-designated 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Calvary Division. In 2006-2008 D Co 4-9 CAV deployed to Camp Liberty in Operation Iraqi Freedom. In 2009-2010 D CO 4-9 CAV deployed again to Kirkuk in support of OIF. Company awards includes the Meritorious Service Award and the Presidential Unit Citation Award. Currently D Co is deployed to FOB Cobra, Iraq in support of Operation New Dawn.

JOIN US ON FACEBOOK AT : www.facebook.com/dtroopdesperados

Email: jennifer.dennis@us.army.mil

D FSC 4-9 CAV 2BCT 1CD FOB COBRA IRAQ APO AE 09391 F

Next Issue: July 2011