Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion Page 1
Dear Gauntlet Family, Friends, and Soldiers,
G
reetings from sunny Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan.
May not only brought us warmer temperatures, but
realization that a third of our deployment is just
about behind us. It has been a busy three months since our
last newsletter and you will find that reflected in the articles
included in this edition. We have seen the whole range of
events: the successful Afghanistan National election, the
CJTF-10 hosted Boston Shadow Marathon on Bagram Airfield, hundreds of promotions and awards recognizing the
individual achievement, growing competence by the entire
staff as everyone learns their jobs better, and the occasional opportunity to just have fun. I continue to be proud of
our Soldiers on the division, battalion, and company staffs
who routinely find a way to make the near impossible look
easy. Our home front has been just as busy, doing a great
job balancing the mission requirements supporting the units
at Fort Drum with care and concern for the families and
deployed Soldiers. There was tremendous turn-out for the
battalion Easter Egg hunt, organized by our great FRSA
Lyndsey Hodkinson and supported by FRG and Soldier
volunteers. One of our great FRG leaders was recognized
as the Fort Drum Volunteer of the Year – Jessica Supanich
from Headquarters Service Company! You will find this
newsletter includes articles covering both forward and rear
activities as we attempt to capture the great work and high
spirits of the entire battalion.
This summer the entire battalion will experience a
lot of personnel changes. A number of individuals will redeploy to PCS or assume positions of increased responsibility
back at Fort Drum over the coming months. To replace
them, a host of new members of the Gauntlet family will
deploy in May, June, and July. With the success of the
Afghan election, we are also starting the process of reducing our forces in theater. A final decision has not been
made by the President of the United States, NATO, or the
Afghan government on how any remaining force would be
structured, and our plan for executing the drawdown is contingent upon those decisions. We anticipate that some individuals
and small groups may redeploy this summer and fall, while
others will stay to complete the entire tour. As each decision is
made, we will utilize the Family Support Group chain of concerns and Rear Detachment commanders to disseminate official word. The normal summer transition will begin soon at Fort
Drum, changing out many of the leaders and key staff members
who have been carrying the load back there. All this adds up to
continued uncertainty and I understand the added stress that
places on both Soldiers and Families. I ask that you reach out
to new families to welcome them and help them integrate to the
Gauntlet team. I am confident that by combating rumors and
supporting each other we will demonstrate our resiliency.
I would like to close by reminding both Soldiers and
Families the importance of keeping your contact information
and location updated with your Family Readiness Group, especially as school ends and people take advantage of the summer
to travel. In addition to the routine general updates on our deployment, the FRG and Rear Detachments play a key role in
keeping family and friends updated on redeployment timelines
for individual Soldiers. The FRG also provides the information
chain when we need to get official information to you about
incidents or problems. Finally, we have already seen how the
FRG can provide support in times of need that mitigate crisis or
problems that develop while spouses are deployed. Sometimes that is as simple as providing resources, meals, emotional support, or a friendly welcome home basket.
Thank you all for your service and sacrifice in supporting our great team. I hope you enjoy this month’s newsletter
edition, and welcome recommendations on how we can improve.
Climb to Glory!
LTC Brian North