Unofficial 1st Infantry Division Magazine of Soldiers and Families | www.riley.army.mil

Warmer temperatures 

mean recreation, travel
 Duty First! April 2010 

|1

TEAMWORK is the foundation of the Big Red One. I shall

never fail my team, for I maintain the standard. My conduct and 

self-discipline set the example for others to follow.

HONOR is what I stand for–an American Soldier on duty

for my country. My loyalty is intense. I display care for

my fellow Soldiers and my chain of command through courage, 

respect, integrity and compassion.

I have learned to ENDURE

, to thrive in adversity. 

The harsh reality of combat gives me the enthusiasm for

realistic training. I am physically and mentally strong to

meet the demanding situations my unit encounters.

We are one in the Big Red One. Our BROTHERHOOD

gives us strength to fight on to any objective and accomplish the 

mission as our veterans have done before us. I live the legacy of my division.

READINESS is my priority. To be ready for any mission,

anytime, anywhere. My business is first-class training and living high 

standards of care and equipment, weaponry and tactical and 

technical competence.

My ORGANIZATION is my strength. The BRO is bigger 

than any one individual. It gives me purpose, self-confidence, 

competitive spirit, intestinal fortitude and the desire to fight 

with all my heart.

Duty First!

The Duty First is an unofficial publication 

produced under the provisions of AR 360-1, 

published by Soldiers of the 1st Infantry Division. 

Editorial views and opinions expressed are not 

necessarily those of the Department of Defense, 

the Army or the 1st Infantry Division. All photos 

are Army photos unless otherwise noted. 

Circulation is 6,000 per issue, printed monthly. 

Story and photos submissions are welcome and 

should be sent to: 

1st Infantry Division

Public Affairs Office 

ATTN: Editor 

Bldg. 580

RM 317

Fort Riley, KS 66442 

Telephone number

COM 785-239-6821 

 DSN 856-6821 

or visit Duty First online at www.riley.army.mil.

1st Infantry Division Commander

Maj. Gen. Vincent Brooks

1st Infantry Division CSM

Command Sgt. Maj. Jim Champagne

1st Infantry Division PAO

Lt. Col. Matt Hackathorn

Editor

Anna Staatz

Staff Writers

Jordan Chapman

Stephanie Hoff

Illustrator 

Justin Angeles

Photo by spc. shantelle campbell, 4 ibct public affairs office 

No Mission too Difficult. No Sacrifice too Great.

April 2010 | www.riley.army.mil

Cover: A 701st BSB Soldier defends the ball from 

a 1st Sust Bde. Soldier during a soccer game July 

27, 2009, as part of Victory Week competitions.

CONTENTS

Departments

Features

Danger 6

Soldiers safeguard 

historic elections 

Danger 7

Building teamwork, 

memories at ballpark 

Danger Forward

Building civil capacity 

a cooperative effort Unit Movements

Ceremony marks 

CAB deployment 

Different kind of F.R.A.T.

Members of Airsoft team 

form unique bond 

Making travel plans

Military Families eligible 

for great discounts

The wild blue yonder

Skydiving club perfect 

venue to push limits

Verticalness of it all

Rock climber gets 

 bird’s-eye view Fun in the sun

Boating enthusiasts 

ready for warmer weather Hook, line and sinker

Fishermen get caught 

up in landing big one

Familiarity breeds success

Softball team’s core 

acquainted with winning 

3

24–25 2

84

10

12

14

20
On March 7, Soldiers of the 1st 

Infantry Division had a 

chance to witness history as 

the Iraqi people made their voices 

heard at the polls. It will be remembered as the day when freedom and 

democracy spoke to the world as Iraqis 

cast their votes to elect a new national 

government. 

There was no doubt in my mind that 

the Iraqi elections would be successful 

and they proved that Iraq is emerging 

as a secure, stable democracy. It was a 

powerful day and a terrific example for 

the world, and especially for the Middle 

East, to emulate.

These were the second national parliamentary elections since the removal 

of Saddam Hussein from power. Unlike 

the first elections in 2005, the Government of Iraq’s security forces led the effort by ensuring a safe and secure process for its citizens.

The general election took place at 

2,733 voting centers across the nine 

southern provinces of Iraq. More than 

4,128,500 Iraqis voted in this historic 

general election. Voter turnout across 

the nine southern provinces was 

about 60 percent. Babil Province recorded the highest turnout at 63 percent and Maysan the lowest with 50 

percent. 

Nineteen election observer teams 

from UNAMI, the U.S. Embassy and the 

European Union traveled to many polling stations across the south to ensure 

the elections were fair, legitimate and 

impartial.

Arab media described the 2010 

Iraqi national elections in this way, 

“Iraq is the envy of the Arab world—

no country in the Middle East gives 

citizens more freedoms than Iraq, including a free press and uncensored 

Internet access.” 

The Government of Iraq made allowances for Special Needs Voting on 

March 4, allowing personnel from the 

Ministries of Defense and Interior, hospital patients and detainees to vote in 

advance of the March 7 general election. 

Meanwhile, Iraq’s out-of-country voters 

numbered 150,000 and cast their vote at 

polling stations worldwide.

Iraqi voters, representing nearly 

60 percent of the southern region’s 

population, became part of the “Purple Revolution,” referring to the ink 

used on the voter’s forefingers signifying that they has participated in the 

election. Iraqis proved they would 

not be intimidated or influenced in 

order to cast votes to effect change in 

Iraq. Women voted in large numbers 

across the southern provinces with, 

Diwaniya and Maysan recording the 

highest number of women, especially 

young women seeking to influence 

Iraq’s future.

The Iraqi Security Force’s efforts 

across the nine southern provinces ensured attacks in the USD-South area of 

responsibility were minimal and ensured 

USD-South Forces remained in the background. The ISF security efforts marginalized voter influence from violent extremist organizations as their presence 

was effective throughout the southern region. The USD-South’s role in Iraq’s national elections was to provide security 

support to the Government of Iraq in accordance with the Security Framework 

Agreement signed by the Government of 

Iraq and the United States. 

We were honored to play a role in this 

historic day. Now, we will continue in 

our role of supporting Iraq to ensure the 

new government is safely seated. We can 

all be proud of the work done by both our 

1st Inf. Div. Soldiers and the Iraqi Security Forces on this important day. 

Duty First!

2| www.riley.army.mil Duty First! April 2010 |3

Commanding General DANGER 6 Command Sergeant Major DANGER 7

Witnessing historic elections Love for baseball never dies

Maj. Gen. Vincent Brooks Division Command Sgt. Maj. Jim Champagne

One of my favorite times of the 

year is nearly upon us: baseball season. Nothing spells 

out an all-American summer day like a 

ballpark—it’s right up there with apple 

pie and Chevy trucks.

Whether it’s at Kauffman Stadium 

with the Royals, at Tointon Family Stadium watching the Wildcats, or at Rathert Stadium taking in a Junction City 

Generals game, they all add up to some 

well-spent down time.

America’s favorite pastime comes 

in all forms during the summer and 

opening day is just around the corner. 

Regardless of age, the sound of a bat 

cracking and the snap of a glove as a 

ball is caught are sounds that come 

with some of the best memories you 

can create. 

For many of us, the love of baseball 

starts as early as the age of 4 on our first 

T-ball team and continues through our 

youth in the form of little league. Some 

of the best times of childhood are out on 

the ballfield learning to play catch with 

your dad and then hearing him cheer 

for you when you finally put those skills 

to use. As community members, we 

should support the dreams and dedication of our young people by supporting 

the teams they play on—whether it’s 

cheering them on, bringing a cooler of 

drinks or helping drum up support for 

some new uniforms. Those are the experiences that breed the ethics of being a 

team player, working hard and striving 

for a goal—things that follow us the rest 

of our lives.

Sometimes the baseball passion continues through high school and college, 

but far more frequently, we find ourselves on recreational teams, bonding 

with friends and playing to the point of 

sore muscles and joints. This summer at 

Sacco Softball Complex, dozens of softball teams will take to the fields as players enjoy time in the batter’s box and 

the thump of the ball in their gloves. 

One of those teams is profiled in this 

month’s magazine—its players have hit 

the field together for almost eight years, 

even finding time to play during their 

deployment. Visit the Fort Riley Sports 

Office at King Field House, find a team 

and join the fun—and if you can’t play, 

go support your unit’s team. Nothing 

builds teamwork and camaraderie like 

some time at the ballpark.

When you can’t play, or have a free 

night, our local semi-pro team of the 

Junction City Generals or our nearby 

Wildcat team give us a fun evening just 

watching. With plenty of food, drinks 

and company, you can’t beat a good 

game on a lazy summer evening. It’s 

doesn’t get any better than that.

Let’s play ball!

Duty First!
4| www.riley.army.mil

courtesy PHOTO

By Stephanie Hoff

Duty First! Magazine

Whether you want 

to vacation 

across the country or just venture outside 

of Fort Riley’s gates, great 

vacation and travel discounts are available for 

military members.

Fort Riley’s Information, Ticketing and 

Registration office serves active-duty Soldiers, Family members, members of the 

military reserves, retirees and Department 

of Defense civilians. The office provides a 

wide assortment of packages and services 

to help make anyone’s vacation dreams become reality. 

“The biggest value is the savings they get 

with the military discounts,” said Teresa 

Mayes, Fort Riley ITR manager. “Almost everything that we do through our office, they 

get military discounts that they would not 

receive without contacting us.” 

Mayes said the biggest difference between 

 Duty First! April 2010 |5

g e t t i n g t h e

Military members eligible for great travel discounts

the ITR office and a travel agency is that 

they’re a part of the Directorate of Family, 

Morale, Welfare and Recreation. 

“We’re a part of MWR. Everything 

that we do goes back to the Morale, Welfare and Recreation fund that supports 

the Soldiers and Families programs here 

at Fort Riley,” she said. “That’s why we 

always appreciate their business and the 

money comes back to benefit Fort Riley 

programs.”

The ITR office can assist with receiving military discounts and savings on 

most any vacation or getaway packages, 

no matter the destination. 

“Pretty much just about every state, 

we have some travel program for,” she 

said. “If we don’t, then what we can do 

is network with other ITR offices.” 

Florida is a popular destination 

getaway frequently requested by ITR 

patrons. 

“We do a lot of stuff for Florida, big 

time,” Mayes said. 

Military discounts (and even free 

tickets) are available for service members and their Families for theme parks 

and the Kennedy Space Center. “Military Salutes”—free or discounted tickets—are offered by popular vacation 

destinations, such as Disney World, Universal Studios and SeaWorld. Complimentary tickets for the active-duty service member and up to three immediate 

Family members are available for all Anheuser – Busch properties to include 

SeaWorld, Busch Gardens, and Adventure Island. 

Boarding a luxury cruise ship or relaxing on the beach of an all-inclusive 

resort has become exceedingly popular 

for travelers and with military discounts 

added to their current promotions, the 

savings currently available for service 

members is phenomenal, Mayes said. 

“When you think about the economy 

and that sort of thing, some of these vacation destinations are competing for a 

lot of other people’s business, so there 

are some great deals out there, let me tell 

you,” Mayes said. “Cruising use to be so 

terribly expensive. It’s a value right now, 

it truly is. A lot of our Soldiers are cruising now.”

For the military vacationer looking 

for a closer commute to their destination, 

Branson, Mo., should not be overlooked, Mayes said. A wide variety of 

Branson hotels, condominiums and restaurants offer as much as 20 percent 

military discounts.

“A lot of people think of Branson as 

country shows only. Believe me, it’s far 

from that. They have the Titanic Museum and Showboat Branson Belle. It’s 

more like a Broadway performance variety,” she said. “It really offers a good variety for everyone, with all types of entertainment. 

 “It’s a six-hour drive, so you can 

easily do that in a long weekend.” 

Military discounted tickets are also 

available to sporting events and shows 

as close as Manhattan, Topeka and 

Kansas City. 

Tickets frequently purchased at 

the ITR office include Kansas City 

Chiefs football games and Worlds 

and Oceans of Fun theme parks. Kansas Speedway tickets and several performances at the Topeka Expocentre 

are now available at the Fort Riley 

ITR office. 

(continued on page 6)

Stephanie Hoff, Duty First! magazine

ABOVE: Ann James, travel clerk, assists Leroy Reed, a retired Soldier, with booking his upcoming 

vacation to Hawaii on Feb. 22 at Fort Riley’s Information, Ticketing and Registration office. OPPOSITE: Passengers venture off the cruise ship “Fantasy,” operated by Carnival Cruise Lines to 

tour Progreso, Mexico in Nov. 2007. The military discounts available for cruises booked through 

the ITR Office have made the vacation option very popular for Fort Riley patrons, said Teresa 

Mayes, Fort Riley’s ITR manager.

ITR 

Offices

Fort Riley ITR

Building 6918, Trooper Drive

785-239-5614

www.rileymwr.com

Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday—

Friday

Fort Knox ITR

1053 Spearhead Division Ave.

502-624-5030

http://www.knoxmwr.com

Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday—

Friday

Fort Sill Adventure Travel

1718 Macomb Road

580-250-4040

www.sillmwr.com

Hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. , Monday—

Friday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. 

Saturday

Fort Leonard Wood ITR Office

Building 490

573-329-8587

www.fortleonardwoodmwr.com/itr

Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday—Friday
6

| www.riley.army.mil Duty First! April 2010 |7

By Stephanie Hoff

Duty First! Magazine

Thinking about safety while on vaca-

tion is generally never at the top of a prior-

ity list. However, taking the time for a few 

simple precautions before and during 

your vacation can save you time, anxiety 

and numerous frustrations in the future. 

Below is a list of recommended pre-

cautions for travelers to help make their 

vacation enjoyable and safe: 

• Leave all non-essential credit cards 

and documents at home. “Cleaning” out 

your wallet before you travel can greatly 

decrease the risk of credit card fraud or 

identify thief, if your wallet was to be sto-

len or lost during your travels. 

• Prepare and review your travel ar-

rangements before you leave. Reviewing 

maps and directions of your chosen 

travel route before you leave will not 

only save you time on the road but also 

decrease the risk of vehicular accidents. 

• Inspect your vehicle’s fluid levels 

and tires. Preparing your vehicle for sum-

mer travels cannot only prevent you from 

being stranded alongside the road, but 

save you significant dollar costs. Having 

your oil changed, air-filter checked and 

tires inspected before you travel are some 

of the pre-travel inspections travelers 

should complete before hitting the road. 

• The Ready Army campaign encour-

ages Soldiers and Family members to pre-

pare emergency kits for their homes and 

vehicles. A similar, compact kit should be 

prepared when traveling. Bandages, anti-

bacterial wipes and antibiotic ointment 

should be included in case injuries arise. 

• Don’t drive tired and schedule rest 

stops. All travelers are encouraged to 

avoid late-night driving and include 

scheduled rest stops in their itinerary. 

• Vacationers traveling to new or un-

known destinations are advised to make 

contact lists for their destinations that 

include the phone numbers and ad-

dresses for important locations, such as 

nearest hospitals, taxi services or the U.S. 

Embassy, if traveling internationally. 

• Don’t just rely on your GPS or cell 

phone. Having a map on hand, can pre-

vent frustrations and travelers from get-

ting lost if their device was to malfunction 

or they travel into areas out of the service 

range. 

• Create several copies of your travel arrangements and provide a commander, 

Family member or friend a copy so your current whereabouts are always known by others. For airline travelers it is recommended 

to have several copies of your itinerary (and 

Passport if traveling internationally) placed 

in separate pieces of luggage in the event one 

suitcase was to become lost or stolen. 

• Don’t withdraw large sums of mon-

ey. A majority of travel experts recom-

mend withdrawing smaller amounts and 

paying the additional ATM transaction 

fees to help prevent the loss or theft of an 

even greater amount of money. 

• Divide cash and credit cards into 

different suitcases. This provides the trav-

eler with a source of funds in the event 

one bag is lost or stolen. 

• Carry zippered purses and travel 

bags. Besides keeping all of one’s belong-

ings from falling out during the trip, zip-

pered bags serve as an extra obstacle for 

thieves attempting to pick-pocket vaca-

tioners in crowded tourist locations. 

• Travelers are advised to bring with 

them the phone numbers for their credit card 

companies in the event their cards become 

lost or stolen while on vacation. Having the 

phone numbers can prevent frustrations and 

decrease the amount of money lost. 

• Stay hydrated. Dehydration has caused 

the demise of many vacationers traveling to 

warm and sunny climates. Drink plenty of 

water and avoid alcoholic beverages while 

enjoying the outdoors.

(continued from page 5)

“(The Soldier or Family mem-

ber) can also purchase some of 

these tickets at the gate and still re-

ceive the military discount,” she 

said. “Unfortunately, after taxes 

for example, they still have to pay 

a little bit more than purchasing 

them through our office.” 

The annual Country Stampede 

in Manhattan is very popular sum-

mer activity for Soldiers and Family 

members, Mayes said. Eligible ITR 

patrons can purchase a special mili-

tary discount ticket for all four-days 

of festivities for just a little more 

than the cost of a single-day ticket. 

Networking with other ITR of-

fices around the country, and 

world, has created additional costsaving vacations to popular destinations such as Las Vegas and the 

Grand Canyon.

“We have a lot of people want-

ing to go to Las Vegas. We’re start-

ing to get a little more bargains by 

working with the ITR office at Nel-

lis Air Force Base,” Mayes said. 

“The key thing is to give us a call, if 

we don’t have it; we do the re-

search for the customer. Plus, we 

can network with other ITR offices. 

Every ITR office has region-specif-

ic items they sell.” 

For the customers who are un-

decided about their preferred va-

cation destinations, the ITR office 

staff can provide information on 

different locations and assistance 

with their questions and concerns. 

“I think another big value is 

that (the customer) can walk in, 

and believe me, we have many 

who walk in and they don’t really 

know what they want to do,” 

Mayes said. “We can provide them 

with brochures and give them 

some ideas. It’s really the value of 

the total package.”

Safeguard yourself, valuables when traveling

EVENTS:

1 April: MOMC and Child Abuse 

Prevention Proclamation signing, 

4 p.m. at School Age Services

4 April: Easter Brunch, 10 a.m. to 2 

p.m., Easter Egg Hunt, 1:30 to 3 

p.m. at Riley’s Conference Center

10 April: Pancake Breakfast, 8 to 10 

a.m. at School Age Services

13 April: Autism Spectrum Disorder 

Presentation, 1:30 and 6 p.m. at 

Army Community Services

18 April: Family Fun Bowling Tourna-

ment, noon at the Fort Riley 

Bowling Center

22 April: Community Garden Ribbon 

Cutting, 10 a.m. at Forsyth 

Housing Area

23 April: Forsyth East Ribbon 

Cutting, 1 p.m. at Forsyth East 

CDC, Bldg. 2420

23 April: MOMC Festival begins at 4 

p.m., Gary Sinise and the Lt. Dan 

Band Concert begins at 7 p.m., 

Marshall Airfield

23 April: Gold Medal Remembrance 

Ceremony, 5 p.m. at Marshall 

Airfield

24 April: NPS/EFMP Spring Fling, 10 

a.m. to noon at Army Community 

Services) 

30 April: MOMC Parade, 3:30 p.m. at 

Warren CDC

Additional travel safety information is 

available by visiting these sites: 

http://www.travelsense.org

www.safety.army.mil

www.ready.army.mil

http://www.cdc.gov To Learn Mor

e
bit different,” Combs said. “This is my first experience 

with it. I love it. It’s amazing” 

The sport of Airsoft requires its participants to operate 

firearm replicas, shooting plastic bullets, and battle competitively in simulated scenarios. Airsoft challenges and 

scenarios vary greatly in style and structure, depending 

on the location, budget and the organization hosting the 

event. Combat situations on the simulated battlefield often involve the use of common military tactics to achieve 

the goals set in each scenario. Participants typically use 

varying types of Airsoft weaponry along with either real 

or replica military gear and uniforms.

“The gear that we use is full military 

gear; (the team members) can take plates 

and everything. I roll in full kit,” Combs 

said. The firearms used by the team members can vary greatly from M4s, M16s and 

Bushmasters, he said. “The guns we use are 

a lot different than the little ones you can 

get at Wal-Mart or something like that. 

They’re really high end and you know 

when you get hit, you feel it.”

Airsoft scenarios allow Soldiers to train 

and prepare for military operations in a multiple array of environments and situations 

while in a recreational atmosphere. F.R.A.T. 

team members receive opportunities to train 

in environments such as urban operations, 

woodland operations and land navigation.

“We go out and train on the weekends 

on basic Soldier skills. Pretty much all of our 

training comes out of the Army Training 

Manuals, field manuals, STPs, TTPs, that kind of stuff,” 

Combs said. “We train hard, but at the same time; it’s enjoyable learning. Not only are (the members) learning 

about their job, Soldier-wise, it also builds leadership.” 

The F.R.A.T. initially began at Fort Riley in March 2006 

by a group of Soldiers as a recreational activity. The military expertise and experience gained from the sport, was 

quickly recognized and the team became officially organized in May 2006. It has since evolved and progressed 

into a fully operational team, with nearly 30 members 

from a variety of military operation specialties.

“It’s open to any MOS, actually we encourage that because of the diversity it provides to the team,” Combs 

said. “Active duty, reserve component, retirees, civilians, 

it’s open to almost anybody.”

Combs has served as the team’s commander since 

May 2009 and said one of the best benefits he has seen is 

the leadership skills the sport provides to younger Soldiers who may not have otherwise received the opportunity to lead fellow Soldiers. 

“The leadership potential is amazing. I’ve seen a lot of 

guys grow, from not knowing anything and being unsure 

of themselves, to being team leaders,” he said. 

In addition to serving as a recreational opportunity for 

its team members during their off-duty hours, the 

F.R.A.T. promotes a safe and nontoxic lifestyle for its 

members. None of the team’s members have received a 

driving under the influence infraction or had a reported 

safety instance since 2006.

 “It’s amazing; one of the coolest things about the team is 

that it’s not just a team,” Combs said. “We joke we’re “frat” 

boys, but it really is a brotherhood. The camaraderie is amazing. It’s not just we meet on the weekends and shoot each 

other. We actually go out and do other things and hang out. 

“The team is their family. It’s a group of Soldiers that 

really care about each other. There’s nothing that I 

wouldn’t do for anybody on the team and likewise. In 

that respect, it’s really, really cool.” 

8| www.riley.army.mil Duty First! April 2010 |9

hen asked, the majority of Soldiers 

would probably not opt to spend 

their off hours dressed in full gear 

and training for combat, but Sgt. 

Aaron Combs isn’t one of them. 

Combs, Company B, 2nd Battalion, 34th Armor Regiment, 1st 

Heavy Brigade Combat Team, is a 

member of the Fort Riley Airsoft 

Team and is currently the team’s 

commander. 

“I had been really big into paintball before and I knew Airsoft was 

along those lines, but it was a little 

Soldiers interested in more information or becoming a member of 

the F.R.A.T. can visit: www.ftrileyAirsoft.net 

To Learn More

courtesy of Sgt. Aaron Combs

ABOVE: Sgt. Aaron Combs, 

Company B, 2nd Battalion, 

34th Armor, 1st Heavy 

Brigade Combat Team, 

provides security to his 

team while completing a 

simulated course. Nearly 

30 Soldiers, including 

Combs, make up the Fort 

Riley Airsoft Team. LEFT: 

Sgt. Aaron Combs practices 

repelling while training with 

the Fort Riley Airsoft Team. 

Combs currently serves as 

the team’s commander. 

Courtesy of Sgt. Aaron Combs

Sgt. Aaron Combs, Company B, 2nd Battalion, 34th Armor, 1st Heavy Brigade Combat Team, left, completes 

a simulated course with a fellow team member for the Fort Riley Airsoft Team (F.R.A.T.). 

Story by Stephanie Hoff
10

| www.riley.army.mil Duty First! April 2010 |11

By Jordan Chapman

Duty First! Magazine

THE SKIES ARE BLUE, THE WIND IS LIGHT, THE 

MOOD IS INVITING AND THE CAMARADERIE 

IS PALPABLE AS A FORT RILEY SOLDIER 

STROLLS INTO AN AIRPLANE HANGAR FEB. 27 

IN WAMEGO, KAN. HE EXCHANGES GREET-

INGS WITH OTHERS AS IF HE’D JUST ARRIVED 

HOME, BUT HE IS ON A MISSION. 

He receives training briefings and answers cur-

rency questions, he re-familiarizes himself with mal-

function procedures, preparing for the worst but ex-

pecting the best; his eyes are alert and attentive and 

though he listens with the highest degree, his eyes 

never stray far from the parachuting rig not 10 feet 

away, ready to be packed, waiting to be jumped.

A man of passion and duty, Chief Warrant Officer 2 

Chris Vaske, 1st Squadron, 6th Cavalry Regiment, 1st 

Combat Aviation Brigade, has found a way to work 

and play in his favorite environment — the sky.

Though currently headed into his second deploy-

ment to Iraq piloting OH-58D Kiowa Warrior helicop-

ters conducting security operations, many of his stateside weekends are filled with jumping out of aircraft 

as a form of release, each jump fulfilling a skydiving 

goal that he has carried with him his entire life.

“It’s one of those things I’ve always wanted to do 

ever since I was a little kid. I’ve always kind of liked 

adrenaline things,” Vaske said. After being stationed 

at Fort Riley, Vaske found he had the opportunity to 

make a skydive through the Kansas State University 

Parachute Club. He successfully completed his first 

jump in October 2009, though he admitted it was the 

second jump that really inspired him to try and 

achieve his A-License, the first of four progressive skydiving 

licenses a jumper can earn.

“That first jump, it’s all adrenaline and unknown. It’s the 

second jump you can really keep your head about you. The first 

jump, I just remember letting go,” he laughed, later stating he 

was able to reach close to 20 skydives before his deployment. 

While Vaske pilots helicopters for a living, he explained 

one reason skydiving appeals to him is because he has to learn 

to fly a whole new vehicle, his body.

“It’s really not just jumping out of airplane. There are so 

many technical aspects to it,” he described, illustrating with 

his hands that slight movements can mean the difference of 

being in control and being out of control when traveling 120 

miles per hour. “(Little movements) are going to totally change 

the way you fall,” he continued, though setting up a landing 

pattern while under canopy came naturally to him.

“Canopy control, I’ve never really had any issues. It’s al-

ways made perfect sense to me because the way you set up 

into the wind is the exact same way I would set up any landing 

in a helicopter ... it’s just so intuitive because I’ve been flying 

for so long,” he said.

Pilots may be able to set up a landing pattern without 

flaw, but Vaske said any Soldier in the Army that has the 

desire to make a skydive would be able to do so successfully 

because of the way they think and their ability to achieve 

when presented with extreme environments.

“Most of the people in the military have ‘type-A’ person-

alities. That’s the kind of person that skydives, a person who 

wants to push the limits a little bit ... if you can go through all 

that other stuff, basic and all the schools, really, skydiving is 

just a matter of letting go,” Vaske said with a grin, explaining 

he enjoys his time out at the K-State drop zone because it gives 

him the opportunity to deal with people off post.

“It gives Soldiers the opportunity to not be around military 

(personnel) all of the time,” he said, pointing at the many col-

lege students and civilians from the surrounding area that 

populated the hanger. “It’s good to get away a little bit.”

Along with interacting with citizens from the surrounding 

communities, Vaske also feels that skydiving can act as a stress 

release in a relatively safe environment. “I think it’s a good 

way for guys to come out and blow off steam, to push the lim-

its ... so you’re not out driving down Fort Riley Boulevard 

doing 100 miles per hour. You can come out here in a very 

controlled environment with instructors (training you and 

helping out) to get your adrenaline fix,” he said, explaining 

that because there is so much to learn a new skydiver can 

quickly become enveloped in the sport.

“Plus it’s fun just to jump out of airplanes,” Vaske said as 

he moved back to continue packing his parachute, making 

sure everything was right for his next jump.

Skydiving allows Soldier 

to push himself to limits

Jordan Chapman, Duty First! magazine

FROM TOP LEFT CLOCKWISE: Chief Warrant Officer 2 Chris Vaske, 1st Squadron, 6th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Combat Aviation 

Brigade, works to pack his parachute for his first of seven jumps made Feb. 27 at the Kansas State University Parachute Club 

at the Wamego, Kan., airport. Vaske inspects the suspension lines of his parachute Feb. 27 before making his first of many 

jumps that day. Two experienced Kansas State University Parachute Club skydivers pack their parachutes while Vaske ,center, 

continues to work diligently on his own pack job. After the plane door opens, Vaske looks outside to take in the view before mak-

ing a skydive with the Kansas State University Parachute Club Feb. 27 out of the Wamego, Kan., airport.

Jordan Chapman/Duty First! magazine

Getting his “knees in the breeze,” Chief Warrant Officer 2 Chris 

Vaske, 1st Squadron, 6th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Combat Avia-

tion Brigade, watches the plane as he falls away toward the 

Kansas State University Parachute Club drop zone Feb. 27.
12

| www.riley.army.mil Duty First! April 2010 

|13

By Jordan Chapman

Duty First! Magazine I

f a cliff-face were used as a meta-

phor for life, Pfc. Don Radke would 

have climbed it already. An experi-

enced rock climber of 20 years, a 

veteran skydiver with 2,900 jumps, and 

an avid scuba diver who has touched on 

surfing while successfully pursuing ca-

reers as a police officer, EMT, firefighter 

and overseas contractor, this 1st Brigade 

Soldier has a passion for adventure 

sports that allow him to be drawn closer 

to nature while at the same time chal-

lenging him to control a fear that is inher-

ent with each sport or activity.

Though he enjoys skydiving and ex-

ploring the underwater world, his heart 

and soul lies with rock climbing, a sport 

he found interest in during his second 

year of high-school ROTC while he was 

attending a spring camp.

“You get to go out for a week and do 

all kinds of Army stuff — fly in helicop-

ters, rappel off cliffs and I was hooked,” 

Radke said. “I fell head over heels in love 

with the verticalness of it all,” he contin-

ued, stating he joined his school’s Out-

door Adventure Club during his senior 

year, which couldn’t involve much 

climbing due to liability reasons, though 

he was able to learn much about moun-

taineering skills during his time spent 

there.

Nothing could stop Radke when he 

turned 18, though. “The day I hit 18-

years-old I went down to the sheriff’s of-

fice in Sierra-Vista, Ariz., and signed up 

for the search and rescue team,” he said. 

Through that volunteer service, he was 

able to learn medical skills and high an-

gle rescue techniques. “That essentially 

certified me ... to work with ropes, ex-

tract injured hikers and climbers from 

areas that aren’t accessible by foot or by 

vehicle.”

Throughout his time working for the 

search and rescue team, Radke was able 

to learn much about big wall, small wall 

and cave rescues, finding what he liked 

most about the sport is that, unlike sky-

diving and scuba diving where a student 

learns by following, rock-climbing re-

quires the climber to learn on their own.

“The only way to learn is to get out 

and do it, and that involves a level of 

risk,” he said. “It is an uncontrolled con-

trol ... you can have the best equipment 

in the world and it doesn’t matter how 

safe you are, disaster happens,” he said. 

For Radke, though, the passion and ben-

efits received from the sport outweigh 

the risks.

“I find myself drawn closer to nature 

by climbing,” he said. “There is no sound 

other than the clanking of gear now and 

then and some grunting here and 

there.”

Along with the passion, at the same 

time, Radke has to constantly confront 

the worst case scenario. “What makes a 

climber great is the ability to control ab-

solute fear. Climbing is always the con-

stant fear of falling, even with ropes. 

There is always the fear of falling and be-

coming injured,” he said, trying, yet fail-

ing to describe the feeling of beating the 

odds, but knowing for certain that living 

an active lifestyle helps him every day 

that he is in the Army.

“For me, to be in the Army, you have to 

be an active person or you’re never going 

to survive,” Radke said. He noted that he 

feels each adventure sport he has partici-

pated in has helped him become a better 

leader and hopes to join the ranks of the 

noncommissioned officer in the future.

Radke also feels extreme sporting 

would be beneficial to many Soldiers. 

“Studies are showing that when Soldiers 

come home and can find an adventure ac-

tivity to get into, it actually decreases the 

suicide rate. A lot of Soldiers come home 

looking for the same thrill they got, as op-

posed to being in combat, but now they 

can’t do it ... they end up taking things 

too far without training and end up get-

ting hurt or getting killed,” he said.

Finding that passion isn’t always dif-

ficult, though some searching may be 

involved, but Soldiers will know it when 

they find it when they experience the 

feeling. For Radke, it could only be ex-

plained by the late Patrick Swayze’s spir-

itual and thrill character, Bodhi, from the 

movie “Point Break: “It’s a state of mind; 

it’s that place where you lose yourself 

and find yourself.”

Radke never wants to lose that feel-

ing. “There is definitely a place in my 

world, till the day I die, for adventure ac-

tivity,” he said.

Soldier finds passion with rock climbing

Courtesy Photos

ABOVE: Pfc. Don Radke, Brigade 

Special Troops Battalion, 1st Brigade 

rappels down a cliff face while rockclimbing in Arizona. OPPOSITE PAGE 

FROM TOP: Radke poses for a camera 

after finishing a climb in Arizona when 

he was about 18 years old. At 18, 

Radke, makes his way out of a cave 

system after a search and rescue 

operation. Radke performs what 

climbers call a “spiderman” while 

rock-climbing in Arizona. 
14

| www.riley.army.mil Duty First! April 2010 |15

With the onset of warmer 

weather undoubtedly 

comes the urge to migrate 

back outside amongst the trees, wind 

and the inviting landscapes of more 

than 150 lakes, 10,000 stream miles and 

55,000 ponds scattered throughout 

Kansas, where Soldiers and their Fami-

lies can find multiple water activities 

and sports that they can take part in.

Soldiers may find the most acces-

sible and inviting lakes are right on 

their doorstep.

The largest man-made lake in Kan-

sas, Milford Lake, is located north of 

Junction City and West of Fort Riley 

and boasts more than 160 miles of 

shoreline. Neighboring water body, 

Tuttle Creek Lake, located north of 

Manhattan, adds an extra 100 miles of 

shoreline for any summertime swim-

ming needs. 

If Soldiers are looking to spend 

time cruising over the water in boats 

and jet skies, then any water ramp 

that can be found within the lake bor-

ders is ready for the taking.

Not everyone owns a watercraft, 

though. For those that prefer to take 

advantage of day-long rentals, the 

Fort Riley Marina is ready to offer a 

day of fun out on the water.

s p o r t s

warmer weather 

has people on 

the lookout for 

aquatic activities 

By Jordan Chapman

Duty First! Magazine

With pontoon and fishing boats, 

kayaks, canoes and Jet Ski rentals, the 

marina offers plenty of opportunity to 

splash through the 15,700 acres of 

Milford Lake water just waiting to be 

explored.

Reopening in May, the marina is 

located off of Milford Lake and can be 

accessed by following Highway 77 

north to Highway 82. The marina turn 

off will be located on the left hand 

side one mile down the roadway.

Anyone born before January 1, 1989, 

and wanting to rent a motorized water 

craft will need to pass a boaters safety 

test and anyone born after that date 

will need to attain a boater’s safety cer-

tificate, offered through the Kansas De-

partment of Wildlife and Parks.

Prices for rental can be obtained by 

calling 785-307-3798.

Acorn’s Resort

Acorn’s Resort, located at 3710 Far-

num Creek Road, Milford, Kan., also 

offers a wide selection of water sports 

and land activities to interested Sol-

diers wanting to explore the lake.

The resort offers pontoon and kay-

aking rentals along with lodging and 

hiking, hunting and bird watching.

 Soldiers who have their own boats 

or Jet Skis also can take advantage of 

renting a storage site so they can leave 

their boats in the water while they 

continue to explore the nearby terrain 

and take part in different activities.

More information can be found 

at http://acornsresortkansas.com. 

Reservations and questions should 

be directed to 785-463-4000 or 785-

210-5567.

Float Your Boat

Renting and owning boats isn’t every-

thing. Those with a knack for engi-

neering and imagination may find it 

fun to try and build their own.

The annual “Float Your Boat” 

competition, organized by the Geary 

County Convention and Visitor’s 

Bureau will be at 2 p.m. Aug. 21 at 

Milford State Park’s south boat 

ramp.

Free entry and open to all, the race 

requires a boat be constructed out of 

only cardboard and duct-tape and 

then paddled by two people through 

a set course.

To attain more information con-

tact the Geary County CVB at 785-

238-2882.

Extreme Kansas Lake Adventure Racing

For Soldiers always up for a challenge, 

Extreme Kansas Lake Adventure Rac-

ing is now in full swing. 

Offered at Milford Lake, adventure 

races will be offered all throughout 

2010 and gives teams the chance to 

show off a variety of skills in any one 

race.

Teams could find themselves navi-

gating 25 miles of Flint Hills terrain 

around the lake, using a variety of 

mountain biking, canoeing, kayaking, 

hiking, running and rappelling to 

complete the course, all the while con-

sulting a map to make sure the right 

track is taken.

Interested individuals can visit 

http://www.adventureracekansas.

com/ to learn more, find teams or sim-

ply become a volunteer to watch the 

action unfold before them.

courtesy photo

1st Infantry 

Division Soldiers, 

Family and friends 

enjoy a day out at 

Milford Lake by 

using the facilities 

and watercraft 

offered by the Fort 

Riley Marina. 

Photo courtesy of the 1st Infantry Division Post Newspaper

Boaters prepare to head out on Milford Lake during 

the opening of the lake’s Fort Riley Marina. 
By Jordan Chapman

Duty First! Magazine

Whether taking a break from the heat to cool off in the water of a 

nearby lake or pond or spending a 

summer afternoon cruising the waters 

on a personally owned or rented 

speedboat or Jet Ski, Soldiers who 

choose to spend their time at the lake 

should take the time to meet Kansas 

safety standards.

For young Soldiers, that safety starts 

with boating education.

 According to the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks Web site, 

individuals born before Jan. 1, 1989, 

will be required to complete an approved boater safety education course 

in order to operate a motor or sailboat 

in Kansas public waters. 

This rule does not apply to a person 

who is under the direct supervision of a 

person older than 18 years of age who 

possesses a certificate for completion of 

an approved boater safety education 

course.

Boating safety courses approved by 

the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators and recognized 

by the United States Coast Guard also 

meet the educational requirements.

Information regarding the availability of safety education courses can be 

found at http://www.kdwp.state.ks.us 

under the boating menu. Replacing 

boating education cards also can be 

done through the KDWP.

Other boating requirements are as follows:

Mufflers — The exhaust of every internal 

combustion engine used on any motorboat on Kansas waters shall be effectively muffled. The muffler system shall 

be in good working order and in constant operation. The sound emitted 

from the engine should not exceed 86 

decibels on the “A” weighted scale, 

when measured 50 feet or more from 

the motorboat.

Boat numbers and Decals — All vessels 

powered by gasoline, diesel, electric 

motors, or sail must be registered and 

numbered in Kansas. Sailboards and 

personal watercraft (PWC) are considered vessels.

Lifejackets — All boats have one Type 

I, Type II, Type III, or Type V PFD of 

proper size, in serviceable condition, 

not in an enclosed compartment and 

readily accessible for each person on 

board. Anyone 12 years old and younger must wear a life jacket at all times 

when on board a boat.

Fire Extinguishers — Every motorboat 

must have the correct number, size 

and type of Coast Guard approved fire 

extinguishers.

Back Flame Arrestor — Inboard, fuelpowered engines must be equipped 

with a backfire flame arrestor on the 

carburetor.

Ventilation — All closed-construction, fuel-powered motorboats must 

have ventilators to remove explosive 

vapors from engine and fuel tank compartments.

Sound Producing Devices — All motorboats are required to carry a mechanical sound producing device such as a 

horn or whistle that is audible up to 

one mile. Vessels 40 feet and longer 

are also required to carry a bell made 

of proper material to sound a tone 

that may be heard during inclement 

weather.

Marine Toilets and Kansas Clean Vessel 

Pump-out Sites — It is unlawful to place, 

leave, or discharge sewage into waters 

of this state. All boats with a marine 

sanitation device shall be in compliance 

with all state and federal requirements 

and registration.

Visual Distress Signals — Vessel operators use Visual Distress Signals 

(VDSs) to signal for help during an 

emergency. VDSs are classified as 

day signals (visible in bright sunlight), night signals (visible at night), 

or both day and night signals. VDSs 

are either pyrotechnic (smoke and 

flames) or non-pyrotechnic (noncombustible). All VDSs must be in 

serviceable condition, readily accessible, and certified as complying with 

U.S. Coast Guard requirements.

Navigation Lights — All boats must use 

navigation lights while operating on 

Kansas waters between sunset and 

sunrise.

Online boat registration also can be 

found on the KDWP site.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers 

also has tips for those who are out 

swimming in open bodies of water. 

The organization’s Web site especially 

emphasizes not drinking while boating or swimming, paying attention to 

children who are swimming or playing in the water, and knowing how to 

swim before enjoying time out on the 

lake.

16| www.riley.army.mil Duty First! April 2010 |17

Soldiers enjoy time 

fishing for the big one

Story by Anna Staatz

For those who fish, the 

pastime is fueled by the 

thrill of the chase and a 

love of the outdoors. Along 

the way, some wild and hilarious stories are collected, 

about the one that got 

away and the catch that 

grows a little bigger every time the tale is repeated.

Sgt. Edward Campbell, 701st Brigade Support Battalion, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat 

Team, caught his first fish at the 

age of 4 and hasn’t stopped 

since. His biggest catch to date 

is a 32-pound Mahi Mahi that 

he caught off the coast of Cape 

Canaveral, Fla., while fishing 

with his uncle.

(continued on page 18)

Water activities include water rules

Kansas Boating 

Information

BOATING EDUCATION INFORMATION 

Erika Nighswonger, Boating Education 

Coordinator

KDWP Pratt Operations Office

512 S.E. 25th Ave.

Pratt, KS 67124

Phone: 620-672-5911

BOAT REGISTRATION INFORMATION 

Corey Goemann, Boating Registration

KDWP Pratt Operations Office

512 S.E. 25th Ave.

Pratt, KS 67124

Phone: 620-672-5911

Fax: 620-672-3013

BOATING REGULATIONS INFORMATION 

Dan Hesket, Law Enforcement

KDWP Pratt Operations Office

512 S.E. 25th Ave.

Pratt, KS 67124

Phone: 620-672-5911

Boaters also can visit http://www.kdwp.

state.ks.us to access dozens of other 

informative links.

NATIONAL WATER SAFETY PROGRAM

Safety tips can be viewed at: http://

watersafety.usace.army.mil/safetytips

Courtesy photo

1st Sgt. Roger Matthews with 

some largemouth bass he hooked 

during a day of fishing. 

Matthews is the secretary for 

the Fort Riley Outdoor 

Group Bass Club.
18

| www.riley.army.mil Duty First! April 2010 |19

(continued on page 18)

“The fish hit when we trolled past the 

buoy in such a way that allowed the lure 

to pass beneath the buoy,” Campbell said. 

“At first we thought we had accidently 

snagged the buoy chain, till we realized 

that the line was streaking away from the 

buoy. After 20 minutes and many full 

leaps out of the water, we were finally 

able to get the fish on board.”

Campbell said he is fortunate to have 

an uncle in Florida with a love of fishing 

equal to his lawn and enjoys hitting the 

water with him as much as possible.

“Offshore fishing is fun, but the dan-

gers of being 20 to 40 miles offshore can 

change a great day into the worst day of 

your life in seconds,” Campbell said. He 

noted that one of the craziest days he can 

remember is when he and his uncle were 

caught up in a surprise weather change 

while about 25 miles off the coast of Cape 

Canaveral. The two battled through 

waves, rain and a drastic temperature 

change. When they finally pulled into the 

boat ramp, the sun came back out and the 

storm rolled away.

Campbell attributes his love of fishing 

as something that kept him out of trouble 

as a teenager and as an adult, it’s a hobby 

that allows him to get away and think. He 

said while stationed at Fort Riley, he has 

fished the area’s offerings with great suc-

cess, especially Milford Lake. 

“I started fishing Milford in the 

spring of 2006 and have caught my larg-

est Walleye, Smallmouth (Bass) and 

Striper of 8, 6 and 19 pounds, respec-

tively,” Campbell said. 

His lure of choice is a one-fourthounce spinner bait in either white with 

chrome blades or chartreuse with cop-

per blades. Once he finds the fish, 

Campbell said he switches to crank bait 

or jig. However, he notes, he likes spin-

ner bait most of all for several reasons, 

not the least of which is that he can get 

almost everything to hit it.

For 1st Sgt. Roger Matthews, 72nd 

Chemical Company, fishing was also a 

love that started young. Matthews said 

he started fishing when he was about 5 

years old, and now, as the secretary of 

the Fort Riley Outdoor Group Bass Club, 

he continues the tradition, taking his 

young son to club meetings with him.

Matthews said he had participated in 

similar fishing clubs at other locations 

he’d been to, but so far, his experience at 

Fort Riley has been the best because 

members have a strong camaraderie 

and are not as competitive with each 

other.

“I was just out fishing at Milford and 

a local guy came up and asked me if I’d 

be interested in the Bass Club,” Mat-

thews said. 

The club meets at 7 p.m. on the first 

Wednesday of every month at the Sir-

loin Stockade in Junction City. Club 

members have two affiliations open to 

them—the Kansas Bass Federation and 

the National Bass Federation, which al-

lows them to fish Bass Open tourna-

ments. Matthews said the club has a little 

more than 30 members and membership 

is open to boaters and non-boaters.

“There’s great camaraderie and fel-

lowship between local residents and 

Soldiers,” Matthews said. “It’s been a 

good place for me to develop friends in 

the area.”

This year, club members will fish at 

tournaments in McPherson, Milford, 

Banner Creek and Council Grove. Mat-

thews said for the remaining six months 

of the year, the club will vote on which 

tournaments to participate in. More in-

formation is available at www.froggz-

bass.com.

By Anna Staatz

Duty First! Magazine Anglers looking for a good catch don’t have to go far if they’re stationed 

at Fort Riley. The post has 29 lakes or ponds available for use by Sol-

diers and local residents, stocked with bass varieties, channel catfish, blue-

gill and trout. 

Those fishing on Fort Riley may obtain an outdoor recreation map at the 

Directorate of Public Works, 

Environmental Division, locat-

ed in building 404. Visitors also 

need to be sure that the area 

they are recreating in is open 

for fishing by calling 785-239-

6669. The hotline lists open ar-

eas and is updated Mondays 

and Thursdays. Finally, vehi-

cles should have a natural re-

source vehicle marker, which 

can be picked up at building 

404.

State fishing laws apply to 

Fort Riley areas—anglers be-

tween the ages of 16 and 65 must have a Kansas fishing license and a trout 

permit if they are fishing for 

trout. Guests are also eligible for 

the Fort Riley Master Angler 

Award – which recognizes a 

catch that meets or exceeds the 

weight requirement for that par-

ticular species. Weight require-

ments are posted on Fort Riley’s 

Web site, and by contacting the 

Environmental Division. A certi-

fied scale is available at 407 Per-

shing Ct. during the week, and at 

the state park areas of Milford 

Lake and Tuttle Creek during the 

weekends.

Similar rules apply if you are stationed with the Big Red One elsewhere—

always follow state guidelines 

and check with post conserva-

tion or recreation offices for 

additional guidance.

Fort Riley

Fort Riley Open Areas Hotline: 785-239-

6669

Fort Riley recreation information: www.riley.

army.mil. Search for DPW-Environmental 

Division.

Kansas fishing information: www.kdwp.

state.ks.us

FROGGZ BASS Club information: www.

froggzbass.com; or call Jesse Cornell, 

785-564-7316.

Fort Leonard Wood, Mo.

Recreation users must sign in with Range 

Control at Building 5260.

Questions concerning hunting and fishing 

may be directed to Range Control, 

573-596-2525

Questions concerning fishing regulations 

may be directed to the Fort Leonard 

Wood Game Warden Office at 

573-596-0596.

For fishing permits, call the MWR Outdoor 

Adventures Center, 573-596-4223.

Fort Sill, Okla.

Fort Sill does not require additional permits 

to fish in post areas.

State information: http://oklahomafishing-

guides.com

Fort Knox, Ky.

Anyone older than 16 must have a Kentucky 

fishing license, a Fort Knox fishing 

permit and a trout permit if fishing for 

trout.

A recreation assignment sheet must be 

obtained at the Hunt Control Office, 

502-624-7311.

For more information: www.knox.army.mil/

fw/fishing_info.asp.

Searching for that perfect fishing hole? fishing permits, 

licensing infoCourtesy 

photo

OPPOSITE PAGE: Sgt. Edward Campbell has been “hooked” on fishing since he was 4 and en-

joys all types of fishing. FROM TOP: Campbell is shown with a redfish, a small dolphin, and a 

smallmouth bass. 
Playing together consistently for eight years is generally considered a milestone for almost any 

sports team. Add to that the constant coming and going of a career in the Army and the occurrence 

becomes pretty rare. 

Five Fort Riley Soldiers have competed together on the softball field for seven years and 

four are preparing to round off their eighth year this upcoming season. 

The 2nd Battalion, 34th Armor Regiment, 1st Heavy Brigade Combat Team’s softball 

program has had a continual staffing of players since 2002. Sgt. 1st Class Joshua Wilson, 

Staff Sgts. William Griffith, Kerrick Bostick and Aaron Sims and Sgt. Albert Blanks 

have participated in the battalion’s post softball team for almost eight years. 

“We’ve had a lot of people come and go. But that little core of names have 

been together for a long time,” Griffith said. 

Coaching and managing the team has become increasingly effortless as 

the same players take the field each year, said Blanks, the team’s coach. 

“It’s pretty much a self-coach team. Everybody knows where they’re 

going to play and where they’re going to hit in the line-up,” Blanks 

said. “It’s nice having the same people each year because you pretty 

much know where everybody is going to hit, what positions 

they’re going to play and how things are going to work out. 

There’s usually never a problem on the field.” 

The unit’s deployment in 2005 didn’t deter the players 

from putting on their batting gloves and cleats during 

their down time. 

“We tried to play every other weekend in Iraq, 

when the weather was nice,” Griffith said. “We 

would maybe get to practice together once a 

week. It was definitely good practice for 

when we came back.”

Scheduling became one of the major 

challenges for the team during their 

deployment. Impromptu games and 

tournaments became the norm 

due to the different patrol schedules of players and the teams. 

“We would just make a 

couple of calls to the guys 

that we knew and see if 

we could get a few 

teams out there to 

play,” Griffith 

said. 

Four of the Soldiers plan to once again sign their names on the team’s batting line up when this 

summer’s season kicks off. 

 “If the (Sacco Softball Complex) is built, we’re going to have a battalion team that consists of 

basically the same guys again,” Blanks said. “It’s nice playing with the same people every year.”

The team has additionally taken their skilled cohesion to compete in tournaments in Fort 

Riley’s neighboring communities. In addition to generally playing two nights a week on 

post, the team generally participates in 10 to 15 tournaments off-post, each season, Blanks 

said. 

Being awarded as Fort Riley’s league champions and scoring 39 runs in one game 

have been some of the career highlights for the team and its players. 

“Our commander at the time said we couldn’t score 40 ... well we didn’t. We 

scored 39 and we got close,” Griffith said. “When you score 39 points on a 

team and you’re not trying to do it on purpose, you’re just playing regular; 

you’re playing the way you always do; it’s kind of cool.” 

The Soldiers face a new challenge with the arrival of the upcoming 

season: themselves. Some teammates will find themselves in opposite dug-outs following the move of one of their players to another 

unit and several of the players will compete opposite one another in a co-ed league off post. 

“Some of us are going to get to play against each other 

instead of with each other,” Blanks said. “It’ll be different 

competing against each other, but it should also make it 

pretty fun.”

While the competition may differ while competing in other leagues, returning to their long-time 

comrades on the “Dreadnaught” team on Fort 

Riley will always be a constant for the players 

on the 2nd Bn., 34th Armor Regt. roster. 

“It definitely makes you a better 

team because you know them. You 

know exactly how each other is going to play,” Griffith said. “You 

know what they’re going to 

do, you know what their 

strong points are, you 

know what their weak 

points are and plus 

we just have a good 

time together. 

We have fun.” 

20| www.riley.army.mil Duty First! February 2010 |21

Story by Stephanie Hoff | Duty First! Magazine Courtesy Photo

Staff Sgt. Aaron Sims waits for the pitch during a 2008 

softball game on Fort Riley. Sims is preparing to round off 

his eighth year with the 2nd Battalion, 34th Armor Regiment, 1st Heavy Brigade Combat Team’s softball team. 

Courtesy Photo

Staff Sgt. William Griffith prepares to field the ball in 2003 

while playing softball for the 2nd Battalion, 34th Armor 

Regiment, 1st Heavy Brigade Combat Team. Five Soldiers 

have played for seven seasons with the battalion. 
Iraqi Freedom and be present to insure Operation New Dawn begins and is moving forward 

come Sept. 1. At that time, OND will replace 

the previous OIF campaign. 

“Always remember you are the best 

trained, best equipped and the best Soldiers 

on the face of the earth ... what you’re doing 

is taking care of your Families and giving a 

nation hope,” Petersen said.

CAB commander Col. Frank Muth could 

agree with Petersen’s comments and said 

that though deployments aren’t always easy, 

duty calls, confident that the passion he sees 

in his Soldiers every day will lead them to 

success and a safe return home.

“Standing before you are Soldiers who 

are committed and who will make a difference in Iraq,” Muth said. Muth took responsibility of the brigade midsummer of 2009.

Since that time, he has 

capitalized on the experience that is still within the 

brigade as well as taken 

new ideas and talents from 

incoming Soldiers to create 

a team and trust that will 

continue brigade success 

and improvement.

Correlation and teamwork between the 

CAB Soldiers has also taken two battalions 

to the National Training Center in Fort Irwin, Calif., and the Joint Readiness Training Center at Fort Polk, La., to test their 

skills, work on their missions and continue 

working together to better their success 

upon deployment.

“The great thing is those battalions, when 

they deploy, they are going to take pieces of 

the other battalions and create taskforces,” 

Muth said in a previous interview. “When 

they deploy they will take Apaches, Chinooks and Blackhawks ... and form a cohesive team and that multi-complex capability 

which has all aviation aspects to it. I’m proud 

that I get to stand in formation with these 

Soldiers every day.”

Families of Soldiers also have been preparing for the deployment, taking time to go 

on vacation, go home or just spend quality 

time together during the weeks of block leave 

each Soldier has received prior to this point.

Lt. Col. Christopher Prather, 2nd General 

Support Aviation Battalion, 1st Aviation 

Regiment, said he and his Family took the 

time to take a Disney cruise where his son, 

Aidan, 5, was able to meet Mickey Mouse.

While Prather was over the ocean, Spc. 

Titus Richardson, also of 2nd GSAB, 1st Avn. 

Regt., and his wife Latisha spent time celebrating their son’s second birthday a few 

weeks early so everyone could take part.

“We went to the zoo,” the Richardson’s 

said, each adding that Caden revealed his 

excitement for monkeys while they were 

there. “He loves the monkeys,” Latisha said, 

with love in her eyes, and courage in her 

heart as she said goodbye to her husband as 

he leaves for his 12-month deployment.

Always remember you are the best trained, best 

equipped and the best Soldiers on the face of the 

earth ... what you’re doing is taking care of your 

Families and giving a nation hope.”

— Brig. Gen. David Petersen

1st Infantry Division deputy commanding general-rear

22| www.riley.army.mil Duty First! April 2010 |23

Unit Movements

By Jordan Chapman

Duty First! Magazine

T

he last time Soldiers of the 1st Combat Aviation Brigade (CAB) flew 

over the sands of Iraq, they logged 

more than a quarter million flight 

hours and by doing so saw a 70 percent decrease in violence throughout a 15-month 

deployment, but that wasn’t enough. The 

‘Demon’ Brigade is heading back refreshed, 

retrained and ready for victory.

“We’re deploying the best Combat Aviation Brigade in the United States military 

and quite honestly, we don’t take the best 

lightly,” said Brig. Gen. David Petersen, 1st 

Infantry Division deputy commanding general-rear, to a hanger full of Family members, 

fellow Soldiers and surrounding community 

leaders during the brigade’s deployment 

ceremony March 2. 

Petersen felt confident that he could rely on 

the Soldiers before him to complete their missions and to assist in ushering out Operation 

Jordan Chapman, Duty First! magazine

Chief Warrant Officer II Randy Varady, 1st Attack Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Aviation Regiment, holds 

his 5-month-old daughter, Raegan, while his wife, Tara, takes a lasting photo after the CAB deployment 

ceremony held at Marshall Army Air Field on March 2. This will be Varady’s fourth deployment. 

‘Deploying the best’

1st Combat Aviation Brigade to help usher in Operation New Dawn

Jordan Chapman, Duty First! magazine

1st Combat Aviation Brigade Commander Col. Frank Muth and Brig. 

Gen. David Petersen, deputy commanding general-rear of the 1st Inf. 

Div., salute the flag during the CAB deployment ceremony March 2 at 

Marshall Army Air Field. 

insignia graphic designed by floyd hansford
By Sgt. Nathaniel Smith

1st Infantry Division Public Affairs

B ASRA, Iraq — In 2005, Iraq held two rounds of elections in the 

midst of chaos and heavy security.

What a difference five years make.

On March 7, Iraqis took to the ballot 

booths again to make their voices heard 

with one large difference: the elections 

were for Iraqis with security provided 

by Iraqis.

Iraqi Army Maj. Gen. Habib Husseini, the commander of the 10th Iraqi 

Army Division, said there were zero incidents in the Maysan Province thanks 

to the teamwork between Iraqi Army 

soldiers and Iraqi police.

“We all worked together, and we 

were successful because of the coordination between us,” Habib said. “We 

are very happy and pleased to see the 

people as a family participate.”

Habib added the security effort was 

broken down into three phases: preelection, during the election, and now 

the third phase, post-election.

Ali Salman, a Basra voter, said the 

process went off without any problems 

in his neighborhood.

“Everybody was happy, and there 

wasn't any trouble at all,” Salman said. 

“For me, the elections are very important for establishing better security.

“The Iraqi security forces, police and 

Army, did an excellent job today,” he 

said.

Col. Steven Bullimore, the commander of the 17th Fires Brigade, United States Division-South, said his Soldiers’ role was purely to train Iraqi Security Forces in tactics related to searching vehicles and people, first aid skills, 

and crowd control techniques.

“Our role in this was a support role,” 

Bullimore said. “I am absolutely amazed 

at how successfully this was run and 

how smoothly this was run.”

Bullimore, who was in Iraq for the 

2005 voting, added the 2010 elections 

were completely different from the 

last.

“In 2005, I was in Baqubah,” Bullimore said. “At four in the morning, we 

had to shoot our way in with the ballots, then after the polls closed, we had 

to shoot our way out to take the ballots 

out.”

Col. Aziz Swilm, a spokesman for 

the 10th Iraqi Army Division, said the 

process ran so smoothly thanks to good 

planning.

“This plan was laid down two 

months ago, involving coordination between the Iraqi Army, Iraqi Police and 

federal police,” Swilm said. “The special elections had no incidents, and today's general elections, everything was 

successful.

“Whole families are participating. 

That means we have good security here 

in Maysan.”

Swilm added he has seen progress 

every time his fellow Iraqis have headed to the polls.

Once results are announced, the next 

phase of the election process is for the 

newly-elected officials to select the senior leaders in the Iraqi government.

We all worked together, and 

we were successful because of 

the coordination between us. 

We are very happy and pleased 

to see the people as a family 

participate.”

— Iraqi Army Maj. Gen. Habib Husseini

Commander, 10th Iraqi Army Division

24| www.riley.army.mil Duty First! April 2010 |25

By Spc. Jason Kemp

1st Inf. Div. Public Affairs Office

B ASRA, Iraq — One of the most important missions in Iraq is that of civil capacity—improving security, economy and 

utilities. All of those are areas that 1st Infantry Division Soldiers are working to help the 

Iraqi people improve.

 “My last tour ended just as the surge 

was beginning in late 2006, so the change 

is primarily in the atmosphere,” said Lt. 

Col. Paul Schmidt, civil affairs officer with 

1st Inf. Div. “There are still the same great, 

courageous people to work with, but I 

sense a much greater feeling of pride and 

hope for the future now than before.” 

A lot has changed since 2006. Now the 

Big Red One is deployed to Iraq, heading 

up United States Division-South. Schmidt 

said the pride of the Iraqi people is demonstrated in their expectation that the 

country become a better place.

 “This country is becoming more and 

more stable because the Iraqi people are 

demanding it now in greater numbers,” 

Schmidt said.

He also noted that progress is seen in 

the work of local governments and Iraqi 

security forces.

“We are really at a point where stability 

operations and building civil capacity is extremely important,” Schmidt said. “Local 

government officials are very effective across 

the USD-S AO [area of operations], but with 

increasing stability and effectiveness of ISF, 

we can really make great progress in assisting the Iraqis with providing services to the 

people and solving problems.”

In order to achieve that progress, 

USD-S and the U.S. Department of State’s 

provincial reconstruction teams are working together to build effective relationships that not only thrive and mature, but 

thoroughly benefit the country of Iraq.

“The State Department is the lead for 

building civil capacity, but they are not 

resourced to do everything we need to accomplish, so it is accomplished through a 

partnership between DOS and DOD,” 

Schmidt said. “They provide leadership 

of the PRTs as well as subject matter experts in governance, economic development, rule of law, agriculture and others, 

and we provide them the ability to move 

safely in order to perform their critical 

functions with Iraqi officials.” 

The cooperation between U.S. civilians 

and military elements is crucial, Schmidt 

said.

“The relationship is important and based 

on strong communication,” he said. “I think 

we do a good job capitalizing on the strengths 

of each organization in order to maximize 

and synchronize our efforts to assist the Iraqis in building capacity for themselves.”

As Iraq has stabilized, the work done in 

the civilian sector has moved to the forefront, and more people are involved. 

Schmidt noted, however, that not just civil 

affairs units were capable of completing 

tasks. A greater emphasis has been placed 

on U.S. Forces at all levels becoming more 

proficient at civil affairs tasks, Schmidt 

said. The civil affairs mission includes nation assistance and civil information management in order to share details on every 

aspect of the relationship between civilians 

and military elements. 

In addition, civil affairs Soldiers are involved with programs to assist with governance, economic development, rule of law 

and essential services, often helping Iraqi 

officials develop projects to improve those 

areas. Civil affairs teams even act as civil 

liaisons between the Iraqi officials and military commanders, and provide the same 

service to a wide variety of non-governmental and international organizations.

With troops being pulled out of Iraq 

and the stability of the country in the hands 

of the Iraqi government, the liaisons from 

U.S. civil affairs teams are playing a vital 

role in creating a working society.

“Civil affairs Soldiers made a great impact in Japan and Germany throughout 

and following WWII and the same is happening now in Iraq and Afghanistan,” 

Schmidt said.

Building civil capacity a joint effort 

Staff Sgt. Natalie Hedrick, 3rd Inf. Div. PAO

First Lt. Paul Lively, Co. A, 1st Bn., 15th Inf. Regt., 3rd Heavy Bde., 3rd Inf. Div., gives a mission 

brief Feb. 16, 2010, at Forward Operating Base Echo, Iraq. The mission that day involved evaluating farmers’ lands for “tunnel houses,” low-tech versions of greenhouse, to boost their 

productivity. 

Sgt. Nathaniel Smith, 1st Inf. Div. Public Affairs

Maj. Gen. Habib Husseini, the commander of 

the 10th Iraqi Army Division, addresses media 

during the election March 7. 

Sgt. Nathaniel Smith, 1st Inf. Div. Public Affairs

Ali Salman, a voter in the Basra Province of 

southern Iraq, shows off his ink-stained finger 

after voting March 7. The purple ink indicates 

that he has voted and has become a symbol of 

Iraqi pride in voting in 2010. 

Iraqis lead efforts in 

election protection

Iraqi security forces, 

army and police key 

to smooth election
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