N ' V* #*'. ••.•';;--v;:0.: :. '>\,••v•• •-•- - • *i -A-iiA. J y •;• • ••wv:,. v /* - :• ./•. ,:V:."%*.O.. •< %:-. • '.;/ -'"•'-; ' • v . .O. x ".^NAn ,\ ••:*' '; ^m ::X? 4»' \ , i DEDICATED TO THE FALLEN OF SKY SOLDIERS 2D BATTALION AIRBORNE, INFANTRY 503RD PFC TIMOTHY R.VIMOTO SPC CHRISTOPHER HONAKER S. PFC JOSEPH MIRACLE A. PFC JUAN RESTREPO S. 1LT BENJAMIN HALL J. MATTHEW SFC BLASKOWSKI D. SSG LARRY ROUGLE I. SGT JOSHUA BRENNAN C. HUGO MENDOZA SPC V. MATTHEW CPT FERRERA C. MERSMAN SGT JEFFREY S. CPL SEAN LANGEVIN K. CPL LESTER ROQUE G. SPC JOSEPH M. LANCOUR SFC MATTHEW KAHLER R. JONATHAN BROSTROM 1LT P. SGT ISRAEL GARCIA CPL JONATHAN AYERS R. CPL JASON M. BOGAR CPL JASON HOVATER D. MATTHEW CPL PHILLIPS B. CPL PRUITT RAINEY A. CPL GUNNER ZWILLING W. SPC SERGIO S.ABAD OF CONTENTS TABLE DEDICATION 1 TABLE OF CONTENTS 2 LETTER TO SOLDIERS 3 COMMAND BATTALION CHAIN OF 4-6 MISSION STATEMENT 7 GRAFENWOEHR TRAINUP 8-9 DEPLOYMENT CEREMONY & RIP/TOA 10-11 HEADQUARTERS HEADQUARTERS COMPANY 12-31 ABLE COMPANY 32-57 BATTLE COMPANY 58-73 CHOSEN COMPANY 74-99 DESTINED COMPANY 100-115 FUSION COMPANY 116-133 REAR DETACHMENT 134 FAMILY READINESS GROUPS 135-137 TAMING THE KUNAR 138-141 THE ROCK RETURNS 142-147 VALOR AWARDS 148 REMEMBERING THE FALLEN 149-173 THE ROCK HISTORY 174-179 ROCK To our Paratroopers and Families - ROCK The is a very unique organization with an unmatched history and reputation for excellence. Uniquely, The ROCK has always been a disciplined, proficient, low maintenance organization with integrity and credibility beyond reproach that moves quickly, with limited information, and accomplishes the intent - always; The ROCK figures out "how to" v. "why not to" while spending 80% of calories employing assets and 20% gathering assets. Since it's activation during World War II, through service in Vietnam, Iraq, and multiple tours in Afghanistan, The ROCK has found itself at ROCK the cutting edge of battle. Paratroopers of The have a legacy of serving honorably and heroically in combat and honorably and proficiently in garrison/training. Between OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM VI (2005-6) and OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM VIII (2007- 8), The ROCK conducted sixteen weeks of scenario driven multi-echelon collective training. Some said we trained too much and hard - we believed that to be impossible when preparing Paratroopers for combat. We trained paratroopers and leaders, we set standards and expectations high, and when deployed we confidently trusted and supported our ROCK leaders. Paratroopers, based on remote platoon bases, exceeded all expectations in the rugged, austere, contested terrain of the Hindu Kush Mountains in Kunar and Nuristan Provinces, Afghanistan adjacent to Pakistan. Paratroopers fought for, gained, and maintained freedom of movement throughout AO ROCK. The fight in AO ROCK was constant, brutal, and varied. Combat went from arms length to max effective range of all systems. The ROCK conducted over 9,500 patrols, was in contact with the enemy over 1,100 times, fired over 5,400 indirect fire missions and 36,500 rounds of ammunition, and employed over 3,800 aerial deliveries. As one of the few units in the Army to maximize all tools - The ROCK also fired 108 TOWs and 23 Javelins. In an effort to achieve lasting effects, ROCK Paratroopers demonstrated proficiency and creativity when integrating and synchronizing weapons and surveillance systems to target the enemy. Heroism was the norm - two Paratroopers were nominated for the Medal of four were nominated for the Distinguished Service Cross, seven were awarded Silver Star Medals while ten are Clonor, ending, over 90 Bronze Star Medals for Valor were awarded - 400 Bronze Star Medals for Service will be awarded, and nearly 300 Army Commendation Medals for Valor were awarded. Task Force ROCK will be submitted for a Presidential Unit Citation and a Valorous Unit Citation. ROCK ROCK Paratroopers brought confidence, competence, and security to Kunar Province. The proactively jartnered with and trained many types of Afghan National Security Forces, mentored district and province government officials, and built the infrastructure - roads, bridges, schools, clinics, power generation, water pipes etc. - while working with incredible partners that included US Army enablers, US Marine ETTs, US Navy-led Province Reconstruction Teams, US Air Force JTACs and delivery systems, and many interagency personnel. ROCK efforts came at a high cost to individuals and to families. Tragically, we lost 26 incredible young men that are remembered in our hearts and memorialized in this book. We had 143 Task Force members wounded. Families sacrificed 15 months together and supported, worried, and prayed from afar. We have tremendous respect for the leaders, Paratroopers, and families of The ROCK. We were in a tough sustained ROCK Ight in austere conditions; we fought and won and returned as a unit - with honor. As is our theme - once always ROCK, always obligated and always responsible. We are hopeful all Paratroopers look at the time spent in the ROCK AO ROCK and in as an investment from which to forever draw strength and perspective. Paratroopers in The ROCK should take pride in a job well done as ALL are combat tested Paratroopers that selflessly brought peace and tDrosperity to a remote corner of world. As individuals, units, and families you've done things few would attempt and fewer could accomplish - there are none better. We were privileged to lead you in training and in combat - it was an awesome privilege. We appreciate all you do md all you stand for. ROCK! The iradley K. Meyers William B. Ostlund Command Sergeant Major Lieutenant Colonel, Infantry ROCK ROCK 7 6 COMMANDER BATTALION ROCK n // 6 LIEUTENANT COLONEL WILLIAM OSTLUND B. LTC Bill Ostlund was born on July 9, 1965, in Park Rapids, Minnesota. He enlisted in the United States Army in 1983 and served in the 1st Battalion, 75th Rangers. In 1987, as a Staff Sergeant, he transitioned to the Nebraska National Guard Long Range Surveillance Detachment and simultaneously began his commissioning process at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. Since commissioning LTC Ostlund served in the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division in the Republic of Korea, the United States Military Academy - Social Sciences Department, SETAF and the 173rd Airborne Brigade, and as the US Strategic Command's Chief, EUCOM Support Section and Combating Weapons of Mass Destruction Planner. He served as the Commander, 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry (Airborne), 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team from June 2006, through OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM VIII, to September 2008. LTC Ostlund's military education includes the United States Army Command and General Staff Officers Course and the Joint and Combined Warfighting School. He holds a Bachelors degree in Political Science from the University of Nebraska at Omaha and a Master ofArts in Law and Diplomacy in International Relations from Tufts University. He and his wife, Heather, have three sons - Cody, Colton, and Brenget. COMMAND BATTALION SERGEANT MAJOR ROCK // 7rr COMMAND SERGEANT MAJOR BRADLEY MEYERS K. CSM Bradley K. Meyers was born on April 30, 1962, in Lafayette, Indiana. He enlisted in the United States Army in 1984 and graduated from Basic Training, AIT and Airborne School at Fort Benning, Georgia. Since enlisting he served in the 82nd Airborne Division, 6th Infantry Division (Light), l-75th Ranger Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, and the 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team. CSM Meyers deployed to the Sinai in support of the Multi-National Forces and Observers Mission and in support of Operations Restore/ Uphold Democracy in Haiti, Operation Enduring Freedom 2001, 2002, and 2005 in Afghanistan and Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003. CSM Meyers was selected for promotion to Sergeant Major and attended the US Army Sergeant's Major Academy in 2003. He was appointed to Command Sergeant Major in October 2005 with a date of rank of 1 August 2003 and Graduated USASMA Class 54. He is married with two children and is a devoted North Carolina Tar Heels, Miami Dolphins, and Dale Earnhardt, jr fan. MAJOR BRIAN BECKNO "ROCK 5" MAJ Brian T. Beckno was born on June 10, 1971 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He graduated with a BS in Biology fromJohn Carroll University in Cleveland, Ohio and was commissioned as an Infantry Second Lieutenant from the university's Army ROTC program in May 1994. Since commissioning, MAJ Beckno served in various leadership and staff positions the 2nd Infantry Division (Mechanized) in Korea, 10th Mountain Division (Light), and the Ranger Training Brigade. MAJ Beckno's company commands include HHC and Charlie Company in 1st Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade (Rakkasans) in the 101s* Airborne Division (Air Assault) during both OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM and I OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM Additionally, MAJ Beckno commanded The Sabalauski I. Air Assault School and laster served as the Aide de Camp to the Commanding General of the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault). Upon completion of the United States Army Command and General Staff College inJune 2006, MAJ Beckno was assigned to the United States Army Southern European Task Force (Airborne), and in February 2007 was assigned as the Executive Officer of 2nd Battalion (Airborne), 503rd Infantry - The ROCK, 173d Airborne Brigade Combat Team where he served throughout the unit's deployment to OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM VIII, Afghanistan. MAJ Beckno's advanced education also includes a Masters Degree in Information Operations - Master of Military Arts and Science from the United States Army Command and General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. MAJOR SCOTT HIMES "ROCK 3" MAJ Scott Himes was born on 28 September, 1967, in the suburbs of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He received his commission in 1992 as a second lieutenant and was assigned as a tank platoon leader and armored scout platoon leader in 2nd Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division at FT Carson, Colorado. In 1 May 1999, following a two year break in service, MAJ Himes was assigned to FT Benning, GA where he served in The Ranger Training Brigade as an assistant operation officer. He then assumed command of Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 507th Infantry Regiment (United States Army Airborne School). On 20 June 2001, MAJ Himes was assigned to FT Campbell, KY. He served as a BN staff officer and company commander in 1st Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault). MAJ Himes deployed his company in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom I, and was later selected as the aide de camp to the commanding general of the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault). On 5 July 2006 MAJ Himes was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry (Airborne), 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team. He served as the battalion executive officer from July 2006 to January 2007 and as the battalion operations officer from January 2007 through Operation Enduring Freedom VIII, to September 2008. MAJ Himes is a graduate of the United States Army Command and General Staff Officers Course at FT Leavenworth, KS. He earned a BS in civil engineering from The M Pennsylvania State Univ and a S in education from Kansas State Univ. SERGEANT MAJOR JEFFERY KOENIG "ROCK 7" 3 Sergeant Major Jeff Koenig entered the United States Army on 10 September 1987 at the age of 17. After completion of One Station Unit Training for Infantry and the Basic Airborne Course at Fort Benning, Georgia, he was assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division. Upon arrival, he was automatically drawn to the prestige of the 173d Airborne Brigade, as a majority of the senior NCOs in his Battalion were Vietnam veterans and alumni of the Sky Soldiers. At that time, to be a member of the 173d was impossible, due to the Brigade's deactivation in 1972. SGM Koenig served in various positions in the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, the Jungle Warfare Center at Fort Sherman, Panama, 10lh Mountain Division (Light Infantry) at Fort Drum, New York, 78th Division (Training Support) at Fort Drum, New York and Fort Dix, NewJersey. Before being assigned to THE ROCK, he was a student at the United States Army Sergeants Major Academy. The highlight of SGM Koenig's military career has been the honor and privilege of being a Sky Soldier and member ofTHE ROCK. Currently, he is the Operations Sergeant Major for TASK FORCE ROCK. SGM Koenig is grateful to have been awarded the Expert Infantryman Badge, Combat Infantryman Badge (2nd Award), the Master Parachutist Badge, the Air Assault Badge, and the Ranger Tab. SGM Koenig has been happily married to his wife Jennifer since 1991. They have two boys, Ryan (age 14), and Evan (age 4). |