File

416 THEATER ENGINEER COMMAND,
th
DETACHMENT 23
FAMILY SUPPORT GROUP NEWSLETTER
August 15, 2012
COMMANDER’S CORNER
CHANGE – from an online website dictionary [thank goodness for the
internet], the definition of CHANGE as a transitive [ok, I had to
look that one up too] verb is:
“to make different in some particular; alter”
“to give a different position, course, or direction to”
As we approach the half-way mark of our 9-month tour, are we
really at that milestone, CHANGE, is evident all around us.
Here, we see CHANGE in several ways:
1. The Afghan Security Forces are taking more and more lead
responsibility in security and planning and developing next
year’s plans as they move into the lead.
2. US Forces Reorganization. As the U.S. Surge Recovery
drawdown continues towards the next milestone by mid September
to redeploy more than 23,000 troops, approximately 1/3 of the
US forces, the engineer staff sections that we belong to are
also being reorganized to merge and co-locate with the ISAF
Joint Command engineers.
Along with this engineer reorganization and in alignment with the
U.S. Surge Recovery reduction of 1/3, our Detachment will also see
a reduction in our size.
With the large number of troops scheduled to leave, for our
Detachment this will be accomplished in two groups to leave; one
in early August and the other in early September.
The August group is – LTC Crawley, SFCs Armstrong and Ponce and
SGT Aguilar.
The September group is still being finalized as some potential
vacancies and mission requirements may affect the final list.
My personal thanks is extended to not only the Soldiers
listed above, and to LTC Cline and SGT Arroyo who earlier
redeployed, but to the families and friends who have
supported us and provided the strong foundation in this
important mission being accomplished here in Afghanistan
– CHANGE is good.
Issue #2
SERGEANT MAJOR’S CORNER
“Faramoosh nakon keh bazi vaghtha beh
man nameh bedahi.”
Family and friends, as you can see we
are enhancing our language skills while
experiencing the culture.
None of this
will ever take the place of missing our
love ones, or planning our return home.
On another note, we recently
finished the Army Physical Fitness Test
(APFT) with the Sergeant’s Major Coin
going to CPT Sherman, 300 points, for
High Officer score and SFC Conrad, 294
points, for High NCO score. Getting
acclimated to the climate was a
challenge, but we adapted, and over came
to complete the task.
Also, the Soldiers have shown a
vast improvement with weight control,
not saying that we miss your good home
cooking, but using our spare, and I mean
spare time, in the gym and on the
running course makes our time away
constructive.
I know that you all are wondering
by now if I will get to the DARI
translation, well here you go.
“Don’t forget to write me back from time
to time.”
“Me” stands for “Your Loved
Ones”……SGM
1
NEWS FROM THE FRONT
Subh Bakhair
Good Morning
Qabelish Ne-sst.
You are welcome.
Awlaad Daar-eyn?
Do you have children?
Chand Saalla Astee?
How old are you?
May-Been-eym!
See you!

The highest mountain range of Afghanistan is Hindu Kush, which rises above 18,000 feet.

Buzkashi, meaning "goat grabbing", is the national sport of Afghanistan.

The country is rich in the vibrant blue stone, lapis lazuli, which was used to decorate the tomb of Egyptian King Tut.

Afghanistan was first settled in approximately 7000 B.C.

Afghanistan is spread over an area of approximately 249,984 sq miles and forms the 41 largest country in the world.

Initially, the capital city of Afghanistan was Kandahar. It was later shifted to Kabul.

st
2
The Detachment in Action!
SSG Gaddie and USMC General Allen, the
Big Man on Campus in all of Afghanistan!
Hey! Why aren’t you guys wearing your
reflective belts during broad daylight?
Are you talking to me? Am I here to amuse
you? I thought not!
SFC Johnson and a new friend.
3
HEAR YE, HEAR YE…READ ALL ABOUT IT!
Greetings from the Airport!
The past 4 months have gone by very fast. I am
living on a NATO base working with many
different nations such as Spain, Czech Republic,
France, Germany, Italy and Mongolia. It is nice
to see many different types of uniforms
everyday. The weather is warm, windy and
dusty right now, good thing we are in an office.
Well take care and we will see you in December.
CPT Olk
Hello Families and friends.
I do hope that you are finding the FRG
website to be helpful and eventful. This
month we are holding our own Semi-Olympics
to go along with the 2012 Summer Olympics
in London. Our fist event, Coloring, was a
great success! I’m proud to announce our
medalist.
Gold goes to Kalay Mark age, age 11
Silver goes to Julia Kokaska, age 10
Bronze goes to Bibiana Martinez, age 3
Congratulations to you all!!!
YELLOW RIBBON EVENTS
th
Please keep in mind that September 15 is
our next Yellow Ribbon event. It will be
held in Austin Texas. WE do not have hotel
information but do know it will be in
Austin. Please make sure you email
Mr.Powelson, allen.powelson@usar.army.mil ,
to let him know you are interested in
attending this. Do this as soon as possible
so that we can start the process of travel
arrangements. Also if you can CC me as
well, dirky_84@yahoo.com so that I may keep
a head count of who will be attending.
This next Yellow Ribbon is a very important
part for family members in preparation of
our soldiers returning home.
Thanks, Tiffany
We have been given the honor of training the
Afghanistan National Army (ANA) Engineers. SSG
Seeley, SSG Fittanto and I have been reassigned to
work with the Nato Training Mission-Afghanistan
(NTM-A).
We are located at a base approximately an hour
from Kabul. We refer to this as being at the “TIP OF
THE SPEAR.” We are currently training the 205th
Corps Engineer Kandak (Battalion) staff and will
begin training the vertical and horizontal platoons
in a couple weeks.
I am going to mentor the Kandak CSM and his
desire to learn is refreshing. I have come to better
appreciate what we American Soldiers have been
given.
We have the best equipment and training-BUT
most of ALL we have the BEST Families that Love &
Support US.
I pray for our Families because you are on a
battlefield there so we can be on this battlefield.
MSG JACKSON
I am the Theater Route Clearance (RC) NCOIC and
serve as a member of Assured Mobility Team with
the Engineers. As the RC NCOIC, my job is to ensure
the RCs have any and all vehicles, equipment or
enablers to perform RC duties.
It is my pleasure
and honor to serve.
SSG GADDIE
4
Afghan girls having some fun.
Passing time!
A man selling “naan” or Afghan bread. It is
a staple of their diet…and it tastes great!
The Parliament building in front of snow
covered mountains.
5
A modern city shopping center
Friends hanging out in a park
KID’S CORNER
6
KID’S CORNER
Make a Groovy Lava Lamp
HOW DOES IT WORK?
The secret behind the lamp’s “lava” is science. Oil is lighter, or less dense, than water, so
it rises to the surface. Salt is heavier, or more dense, than water, and sinks to the bottom.
When you add the salt, blobs of oil attach to the grains and sink. Then the salt dissolves,
and the oil returns to the top. The result? A liquid show for the eyes.
YOU WILL NEED







Clear jar with lid
Water
Food coloring
Glitter
Vegetable oil
Salt
Flashlight
Fill the jar three-quarters full of water. Add drops of food coloring until you like the color
you see. A few drops go a long way! Sprinkle in glitter for extra sparkle. Fill the jar almost
to the top with vegetable oil and let the mixture separate. Pour salt into the jar until you
see the cool lava lamp effect. When the bubbles stop, add more salt to see it again. Shine
a flashlight behind the jar to watch your lava lamp really glow!
7