Friend of a Friend

News from Around Afghanistan 2

News from Around Afghanistan 3

Message from the Rear Det. CDR & SFAT Advisor 4

Upcoming Events / Support Services 5

Yellow Ribbon #4 Agenda & Flyer 6-7

Troop Support / Letter from the Editor 8

SFAT Mission / Texas Quote / Contact Info 9

Inside this issue:

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Volume 1, Issue 7

April 2013

Scouts around the world

celebrate the first Sunday

before February 8 as Scout

Sunday. February 8 is the

Scouting Anniversary Day

and the Sunday before has

been designated by the Boy

Scouts of America as a day

Scouts are encouraged to

recognize the contributions

of young people and adults

to Scouting and to attend a

worship service if they are

so inclined.

This year, Scout Sunday

was February 3 and COL

Anthony Woods’ team,

Team 1, took this oppor-

tunity to fly a U.S. Flag to

send home to Cub Scout

Pack 60 and Boy Scout

Troop 60 in Shady

Shores, TX. The flag

was flown on February

3rd then quickly shipped

home so it could be pre-

sented at the Blue and

Gold Banquet on Febru-

ary 23. The banquet

was held at Shady

Shores Baptist Church,

which is the charter or-

ganization for the Scout

group.

CW2 Lester, the S-6 for

Team 1, is a Cub Scout

leader in the Pack. His

son, Bear Scout Jacob

Lester, presented the

flag on behalf of Task

Force Arrowhead SFAT

Team 1.

Making A Difference

SFAT Team 1, under the command of COL Anthony Woods, pose for

a group photo after flying the American flag in Afghanistan. The

flag would be shipped home to Cub Scout Pack and Boy Scout Troop

60 in Shady Shores, TX for “Scout Sunday.”

Bear Scout Jacob Lester, presents the American flag flown in

Afghanistan on behalf of Task Force Arrowhead SFAT Team

1. Lester is the son of CW2 Michael Lester.

Page 2 T HE AR R OW HE A D I NSI DER

News from around Afghanistan

On 24 February, 2013, the Security

Force Advisor Team 2A, Team

Mayhem, conducted a transfer of

authority ceremony at Camp Na-

than Smith, Kandahar, Afghanistan.

Team Mayhem was assigned to

Camp Nathan Smith in November,

2012 in order to advise and assist

the Provincial Response Company

of Kandahar.

The transfer of authority was made

with the incoming Task Force 77

(Lithuanian Special Operations

Forces). In attendance to the cere-

mony: Task Force 77 Commander,

LTC Mindogas Kazlauskas; ISAF

SOF Chief of Staff, COL Antonio

Grillone; Acting Director of ISAF

SOF Liaison Element, MAJ Aman-

da Williamson; 1st Brigade 1st Ar-

mored Division Deputy Command-

er, LTC Chad Arcand; 6/1 Cavalry

Regiment Commander, LTC Kevin

Wallace; and 6/1 Cavalry Regiment

Command Sergeant Major, SGM

Uhuru Salmon.

During the ceremony, Major K.

Ross Walker, commander of Team

Mayhem, spoke well of the PRC-K,

“I regret the fact that Team May-

hem will be moving on, but I know

that the PRC-K has what it takes to

perform the job well. You have

proved your worth in many chal-

lenges, and I am confident that you

will continue to perform at a high

standard throughout the province.”

The purpose of the PRC-K is simi-

lar to that of a police force SWAT

team; however, the PRC-K is the

SWAT team for the entire province

of Kandahar. Their tactics, training,

and experience have led them in

becoming the most respected police

force in Southern Afghanistan.

Team Mayhem, spent four months

advising the PRC-K, and during

those four months, they made mul-

tiple high valued target arrests,

found hundreds of pounds of drugs,

home made explosives, IEDs, and

weapon caches. The conclusion of

Team Mayhem’s performance, has

aided in furthering the readiness

status of the PRC-K. LTC Kazlaus-

kas honored Team Mayhem by say-

ing, “Team Mayhem will be a hard

team to outperform. They are well

equipped, very knowledgeable, and

work hard in everything they do.”

After their transfer of authority to

Task Force 77, Team Mayhem will

open up a new chapter in their de-

ployment as the advisors for the 4th

Kandak, Afghan National Army at

FOB Azizullah. The 17 soldiers of

Team Mayhem are excited to move

on to new endeavors, but will miss

their partnership with the PRC-K.

1LT Octavian Griego’s response

when asked how he felt about leav-

ing the PRC-K: “We built an awe-

some friendship with them. Unlike

many advisor teams, we actually

had the opportunity of looking for-

ward to seeing them daily. They

have treated us well, and treated us

like family. The officers and patrol-

men always assured us that we had

nothing to worry about when going

on missions. It was a sense of

brotherhood that was built rather

quickly; at no time with the PRC-K,

outside the wire, did we ever feel

that they would fail us as brothers

in the fight. Their professionalism

and sense of mutual respect allowed

us to place 100% of our focus on

the mission.”

As the second half of the deploy-

ment is about to open up with a new

chapter, Team Mayhem is ready to

embrace the change. When asked

about the change, 1SG James

Landers replied, “We have gone

through a lot so far, and are ready to

take on whatever comes next. ‘It is

what it is’, and we will continue to

work hard in the midst of it all.”

-1LT Tate Landin

Team 2A

SFAT 2A

Coalition forces mobilized to assist

Afghan Border Police establish a new

checkpoint to overlook and control a

mountain pass near the Afghanistan-

Pakistan border March 25 to April 1 in

Spin Boldak district, Kandahar prov-

ince, Afghanistan.

ABP leaders planned the construction

and location of the checkpoint in order

to better secure the area and block an

insurgent infiltration route and asked

International Security Assistance Force

leaders for support in clearing the route

to the checkpoint and advising on secu-

rity matters during its construction.

“We are building the checkpoint so we

can stop the enemy from coming in,”

said ABP Col. Malmoud Agha, the 3rd

Kandak commander. “It was an easier

route for them to come into our area.”

The 3rd Kandak was assisted and men-

tored by Security Force Assistance

Team Seven, comprised of members of

the Texas Army National Guard, who

worked closely with the ABP to exam-

ine the area of operations for potential

infiltration routes. Intelligence gather-

ing done by the ABP pinpointed the

area of the mountain pass as a weak-

ness in the current checkpoint arrange-

ments.

“[Col. Agha] and I talked and we

looked at the alignment of the check-

points,” said U.S. Army Maj. Ruperto

Becerra Jr., the SFAT 7 commander

from San Antonio, Texas.

After the location was decided the

SFAT worked with Agha and his staff

to coordinate logistics and personnel

planning.

“My staff worked with Col. Agha and

went down the checklist of what was

needed to build a new checkpoint,” said

Becerra. “He was very proactive. He

had already lined up contractors to

begin the new checkpoint operation.”

The ABP live in the checkpoints and

rely on the defenses they provide. The

policemen assigned to the new check-

point immediately began constructing

living quarters from the ground using

earth and wood. It is a testament to the

dedication of the men that hold the line

and a clear sign that they do not intend

to leave. This checkpoint was built to

hold to high ground against the insur-

gents.

-Staff Sgt Shane Hamann

DVIDS

The Texas National Guard and coa-

lition forces celebrated Texas’ inde-

pendence from Mexico at Multina-

tional Base Tarin Kowt, on March 2,

2013.

This year marks the 177th anniver-

sary of Texas independence. The

declaration of Independence came

just days before the Battle of the

Alamo March 6, 1836

“For Texans, Texas Independence

Day is like Texas’ own Fourth of

July,” said Texas National Guard

Security Force Assistance team

commander Lt. Col. William Phil-

lips, 56th Infantry Brigade Combat

Team.

Page 3

SFAT 5M

SFAT 4

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In Afghanistan, Soldiers took time

out of their busy schedule to remem-

ber this historic event by serving

Texan style dishes, flying a Texas

flag, displaying a copy of Lt. Col.

William B. Travis’s "Letter to Gen.

Sam Houston" at the Siege of the

Alamo and toasting to commemo-

rate the day.

One Texas SFAT team member

showed of his Texas pride by grill-

ing Texas style hamburgers and

sharing some of the history of Texas

with the Soldiers and contractors

who attended the event.

Today was all about Texas, to show

people here we are proud of Texas,”

said SFAT officer, 1st Lt. Patrick

Gurski, 56th IBCT. -Capt. Gina Goris

DVIDS

SFAT Team 4 pose for a group photo on

the 177th anniversary of the signing of

the Texas Declaration of Independence

at Multinational Base Tarin Kowt in

Uruzgan province, Afghanistan, Feb. 21,

2013.

(U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Jessi McCor-

mick)

SFAT Team 5M—Misfits March 2013

Dear SFAT Families and Friends- The week of April 21st—27th is Volunteer Appreciation Week. First and foremost, I want to thank all of you for your continued dedication and support for the mission at hand and your brave spouses and loved ones overseas. All of you have done an amazing job with your family outreach and your efforts have not gone unnoticed. I am fortunate to have such a dedicated and caring team of ladies to work with as the Rear Detachment Commander. Yellow Ribbon Event #4 is rapidly approaching and I am hoping for a large turn-out for this event that will be held on May 4, 2013. Please encourage your families to register through the JSS link pro-vided on the flyer and assist with any questions they may have regarding the event. There will be some good information for all our families as to how this mission will come to a close and the reinte-gration process. I know all of our families are getting anxious to have their loved ones back home, and we want a smooth transition for everyone. Once again, ladies of the SFAT FRG, congratulations on a job well done and lets prepare to bring our Soldiers home! Keep up the great work, and God Bless all of you. Respectfully, CPT Doyle

Page 4

Message from the Rear Detachment Commander CPT Lee Michael Doyle

T HE AR R OW HE A D I NSI DER

Message from the SFAT FRG Advisor Julia McCarthy

Dear SFAT Families,

We are another month closer to the long anticipated homecoming of our loved ones. Over the next few months there will be a lot of information coming from the FRG as we prepare to receive our ser-vice members back home. The upcoming Yellow Ribbon event that will be held in Austin on May 4th will be an excellent opportunity for you as family members to gain more knowledge of the reintegra-tion process. I encourage you to register for this event as there will be valuable information provided. Additionally, if your contact information has been updated, please let your FRG leader know so that you receive pertinent information. I thank each and every one of you for your continued support of our Soldiers and look forward to seeing you at the next Yellow Ribbon event in May.

Sincerely,

Julia McCarthy

SFAT FRG Advisor

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Pretty Muddy 5K Mud Run & Obstacle Course

Date/Time: June 1st, 2013 / Heat: 0945 / Team Household 6 Honeys

Location: Skyline Ranch: 1801 E. Wheatland Rd; Dallas, TX 75241

Register at: http://prettymuddywomensrun.com/th_event/pretty-muddy-dallas-tx/

Contact: Jennifer Merrill at jmerrill2@hotmail.com if you are interested in joining the team

http://www.facebook.com/TheArrowheadIns

Upcoming Events and Offers for Military Families

Upcoming Events / Offers for Military Families Bike Give Away For Military Children

To recognize and thank military children during the month of the Military Child, District 9 4-H members have 100 bikes just for you. 4-H members from 18 counties in the southeast district have purchased brand new bikes and helmets for 8-10 year old boys and girls who have parents serving in the military. Bikes will be given away at Big Time in D9 on April 27 in Alvin, TX.

Contact Brigid to reserve your bike at 254.774.6022 or blmejia@ag.tamu.edu

Texas Military 4-H Health & Fitness Day for Children

Children ages 8-13 are invited to participate in the Texas Military 4-H Health & Fitness Day on June, 18 2013 from 9:30am—3:00pm at the Blackland Research and Extension Center in Temple, TX. For more information please see con-tact information below.

Call: 254-774-6022 or email at blmejia@ag.tamu.edu or ksatolle@ag.tamu.edu

Texas Military 4-H Science Day

Join Texas Military 4-H on July, 23rd from 9:30am—3:00pm for their third annual Science Camp where participants will learn about circuit boards, water conservation, healthy hygiene, and science as it applies to technology and more! This event will be hosted at the Blackland Research and Extension Center in Temple, TX. For more information please see contact information below.

Call: 254-774-6022 or email at blmejia@ag.tamu.edu or ksatolle@ag.tamu.edu

ACE Fitness As part of ACE Fitness Joining Forces Initiative in which ACE Fitness professionals have pledged to provide fitness training services (such as personal training sessions or fitness classes) at no cost. In Austin, this Spring Season April/May 2013 Certified Fitness Professional L. Macbeth will be offering Free fitness classes for Mili-tary Members and Military Families.

For details on the Central Austin class, email L. Macbeth at liluxe@gmail.com. For other locations and providers please visit: http://www.acefitness.org/joiningforces/donation-search.aspx and enter your Zip Code.

Have you registered for the upcoming Yellow Ribbon Event yet? If you plan on attend-

ing, please be sure to access the JSS link provided in the Yellow Ribbon flyer on page 7

and register today! Deadline to register is April 30th!!!

Date & Time: May 4th, 2013 from 8am-4pm

Location: Crowne Plaza Hotel; 6121 IH-35 North, Austin, TX

Attire: Business Casual

Note: Attendee’s traveling over 75 miles will be authorized Friday Check-in and those traveling over 150+

miles will be authorized a Saturday stay. Childcare will be provided for ages 0-17.

For additional information please contact:

SPC Sanders at 512-782-1968; BB: 512-888-8121 or at jean-pierre.p.sanders.mil@mail.mil

The agenda for the event is as follows:

7:00-8:00: Breakfast/ Registration Sign-In /DEERS-ID Card will be located in Crowne Plaza Private Dining

Room (PDR)

7:30-8:00: Childcare Drop off for ages 0-5 – Crowne Plaza Rooms: Austin & Waterloo

Youth Drop off for ages 6-17—The Double Tree Hotel (6505 IH-35 North, Austin, TX)

8:00-8:15: FRSA / Vendor Opening Remarks (Salon E)

8:15-9:30: FRG /Forward Briefing (Salon E)

9:30-10:30: Guest Speaker John Baker-Communication

10:30-11:00: Tricare

11:00-11:15: Military Life Consultant

11:15-11:30: Big Brother Big Sister

11:30-11:45: JCEP

11:45-12:00: Crown Plaza Childcare pickup at Crowne Plaza; Youth will have lunch at The Double Tree Hotel

12:00-1:00: Lunch

1:00-1:30: Vendors

1:30-3:30: What’s On Your Mind?

3:30-3:45: Closing Remarks/Travel Voucher

**Throughout the day, if you would like to speak with a personal financial consultant or

a military family life consultant in private, please let us know. We have a private room

available for such meetings.

Page 6 T HE AR R OW HE A D I NSI DER

Yellow Ribbon #4— “During Deployment”

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Yellow Ribbon #4— “During Deployment”

Dear Texas SFAT Families and Friends-

Thank you again for your patience and support as 1LT Morenoscott and I transitioned the newsletter respon-

sibilities last month. I am honored to be serving as the editor and hope that you are finding the information to

be helpful as we begin to prepare for our brave Soldier’s to return. My hat is off to all of you who have been

sending me stories and pictures of our loved ones as they continue to serve our country. I know all of our

families enjoy reading about them and are proud of everything that they are doing. I hope this finds all of you

well and in good spirits. God bless our troops and this wonderful country of ours.

Respectfully-

Jennifer N. Merrill

SFAT Newsletter Editor

Troop Support

Page 8 T HE AR R OW HE A D I NSI DER

Letter From the Editor—Jennifer Merrill

The members of SFAT Team 4G, under the command of MAJ Tony Fears along with the 56th ID SFAT leadership, would like to personally thank Ms. Barb Grasso, Executive Director of "Americans Thank Our Troops," (ATOT) and her volunteers for the many care packages received in Afghanistan during the months of March and April. Our Soldiers received boxes of generously donated items to include DVDs, jerky, phone cards, batteries, flashlights, tarps, office supply items, toiletries, socks, trail mix, cookies, and oatmeal just to name a few items. These items will all go to great use and your thought-fulness and support are more than appreciated.

Thank you again for all of your support!

Chris & Mike, volun-teers with ATOT, team

up to tape boxes for our deployed troops.

Barb helps sort packages for our SFAT deployed

troops

Vince, a volunteer with ATOT de-

livers DVDs donated from Dear-

born Heights and Taylor, TX

Page 9

Our Mission

The 56th SFAT REAR DET conducts rear detachment operations in

support of Task Force Arrowhead deployed to Operation Enduring

Freedom from September 4, 2012 until the completion of the mission

in order to allow the 56th SFAT Teams to accomplish their mission.

This will be accomplished by providing direct support, outreach, and

information dissemination to SFAT Families in order to create a cli-

mate of mutual and continued support to the 56th SFAT Soldiers.

Texas Quote for April

“A born Texan has instilled in his system a mind-set of

no retreat or no surrender. I wish everyone the world

over had the dominating spirit that motivates Texans.”

-Former Texas Speaker of the House Billy Clayton.

Do you have a story or event that you want to share with the families

and friends of the SFAT teams? Send me your pictures along with a

with a short explanation of the picture or event you are wanting

promoted, and all consideration and efforts will be made to publish

your story!

You can also send us your questions or concerns through our Facebook

page at: http://www.facebook.com/TheArrowheadInsider

651 N Red Bud Ln.

Round Rock, TX 78665

5 6 T H I B C T S F A T R E A R D E T

CPT Leemichael Doyle

Phone: 254-423-0095

Email: leemichael.doyle.@us.army.mil

Together Tomorrow

56th SFAT

For suggestions and feedback contact:

Jennifer Merrill

56th SFAT Newsletter Editor

jmerrill2@hotmail.com

http://www.facebook.com/TheArrowheadInsider

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