Rough Riders settle in at FOB Walton

KANDAHAR, AFGHANISTAN

06.11.2011

Courtesy Story

2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division

U.S. Army Capt. Ashlea Cleveland
204th Brigade Support Battalion

KANDAHAR, Afghanistan – Rough Riders of the 204th Brigade Support Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division have been busy making things happen at Forward Operating Base Walton where they will be living for the next year.

Lt. Col. Todd Bertulis, battalion commander of 204th BSB, and Command Sgt. Maj. Troy Tuten, battalion command sergeant major, uncased the battalion colors, symbolizing the completion of the transfer of authority from Task Force Packhorse to Task Force Rough Rider, June 11.

During his address to the soldiers, Bertulis acknowledged the support of the Rough Rider families.

“Unseen here today are your families – spouses, sons, and daughters, moms and dads, sisters and brothers, and significant others who provide you with love and support that sustains you in this formation one more time as we, Task Force Rough Rider, enter again into combat," he said.

Coupled with the uncasing ceremony was the patch ceremony where Rough Riders earned the right to wear the 4th Infantry Division combat patch on their right shoulder indicating wartime service under the Ivy Division.

Part of taking over FOB Walton includes a vital mission of the Base Defense Operations Cell. This mission is essential to the lives on the FOB as it is its first line of defense. With the Blacknights of Company B standing guard each night and day, it is 204th BSB soldiers keeping watch over FOB Walton residents.

“This is a great mission that we take great pride in doing,” said Warrant Officer Travis Ogletree, the BDOC officer in charge. “We are ready to defend FOB Walton against enemy forces and we are dedicated to maintaining a safe place for everyone on the FOB to live and operate.”

Soldiers continue performing missions while improving FOB Walton.

“The Trailblazers of Headquarters and Headquarters Company have been diligently working on numerous projects for FOB expansion and daily morale responsibilities including processing over 50 service orders daily,” said 1st Sgt. Maria Denzine, first sergeant of HHC.

It’s not all hard work at FOB Walton; soldiers took time to celebrate the Army’s Birthday by having a cake cutting ceremony in the dining facility, June 14.

“The fact that we celebrate the birth of our Army is truly significant,” said Tuten. “But the fact that we get to celebrate the Army’s 236th birthday while deployed in support of contingency operations in Afghanistan makes it all so much more profound.”

• Date Taken: 06.11.2011
• Date Posted: 06.18.2011 08:59
• Story ID: 72331
• Location: KANDAHAR, AF