The newsletter provides updates on the 2nd Cavalry Regiment for February 2014. It discusses the regiment's history, including battles and events from 1837 to 1967. It also provides updates on the current operations and activities of the regiment's squadrons (1st, 3rd, 4th) deployed in Afghanistan and Germany, including supporting the Afghan elections, conducting missions, and professional development activities. The newsletter aims to inform family and friends of the activities and accomplishments of the soldiers in the regiment.

1. 2d Cavalry Regiment
The Dragoon
Newsletter
FEB 2014
Volume 4, Issue 2
Col D.A. Sims, 77th
Colonel of the Regiment
Command Sgt. Maj.
Wilbert E. Engram Jr.,
Regimental Command
Sergeant Major
Soldiers from the U.S. Army's 4th Squadron 2d Cavalry Regiment receive a mission brief prior to a patrol on February 25, 2014 near Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)
Highlights in 2d Cavalry History
Historical Events 2
Operation
Chamtoo II
3
1st Squadron
4
2nd Squadron
5
3rd Squadron
6
4th Squadron
7
Fires
8
RSS
9
February 8, 1837: Located at Camp Monroe in Florida during the 2nd
Seminole War, a force under the command of Lt. Col. Alexander C.W.
Fanning would defend the camp which had been established in 1836.
On Feb. 8, a force of Seminole Indians attacked which led to the
death of Cpt. Charles Mellon. Mellon was the only casualty that day.
On Feb. 9, 1837, Fanning renamed the camp in his honor. This kind
of attack was a common occurrence in the hostile Florida swamps
during the conflict. Dragoons had to be vigilant, even in well defended
outposts.
February 11, 1967: The 1st Reconnaissance Squadron border camp near
Kronach , Germany (Northern Bavaria) was re-named Camp
Sergeant Patrick Leonard. Leonard was a Medal of Honor recipient
while a member of Company C, 2d Cavalry Regiment during the
Indian Wars. His actions as a sergeant at the Little Blue River near
Little Blue, Nebraska on May 15, 1876 led to him being awarded the
Medal of Honor on June 22, 1870. The Regiment named several of
the border camps in Germany after valorous members of the 2d
Cavalry Regiment.
www.2cr.army.mil
www.flickr.com/photos/dragoons/2scr

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History Highlights cont...
February 15, 1946: The Regiment began its re-designation from the 2d Cavalry Group to the 2d
Constabulary Regiment. The transformation would be complete on March 20, that year the
Regiment assumed duties in southern Bavaria. The constabulary period saw drastic changes to
the organization of the Regiment and the table of organization and equipment. The Regiment,
at the time, consisted of the 2nd Squadron, 42nd Squadron, and the 66th Squadron which had
just been re-organized from a field artillery unit. The constabulary was considered an elite unit
by the U.S. Forces in Europe, and several other cavalry organizations were likewise used for
this purpose. The ability for cavalry units to patrol vast areas was key, and would seamlessly
transition into the Regiment patrolling vast areas of the East German and Czechoslovakian
border during the Cold War.
February 21, 1862: During the Civil War, the Regiment saw action out west. Company G was
assigned defensive duties protecting Union interests in the territory of New Mexico. The
Regiment was also assigned a battery of light artillery that previous year, in October. The
battery of six guns, commanded by Capt. Alexander McRae, supported Company G, 2d
Cavalry, and one company of the 3rd Cavalry which was also present.
Become a member of the 2d Cavalry Association - For more information, visit our
website at: http://www.dragoons.org/

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Operation Chamtoo II
An Afghan National Army Soldier assigned to the 205th Corps displays his country’s flag prior to departing Combat Outpost Mushan during Operation Chamtoo II
in Panjwai District, Kandahar Province, Feb. 19, 2014. Operation Chamtoo II was
an operation planned, and conducted entirely by Afghan National Security Forces
to pacify Panjwai District ahead of the April presidential elections. (U.S Army
photo by Cpl. Alex Flynn)
Captain Clay Randles, physician assistant
for 3rd Squadron, 2nd Cavalry Regiment,
works alongside Afghan National Army
medical personnel to save the life of a
wounded Afghan Uniformed Policeman
during Operation Chamtoo II in Panjwai
District, Kandahar Province, Feb. 19, 2014.
(U.S Army photo by Cpl. Alex Flynn)
Afghan National Army Soldiers assigned to the 205th Corps
depart Combat Outpost Mushan during Operation Chamtoo II
in Panjwai District, Kandahar Province, Feb. 19, 2014. (U.S
Army photo by Cpl. Alex Flynn)
Captain Clay Randles, physician assistant, and
combat medics assigned to Iron Troop, 3rd
Squadron, 2nd Cavalry Regiment, work alongside Afghan National Army medical personnel
to treat a civilian wounded during Operation
Chamtoo II in Panjwai District, Kandahar Province, Feb. 19, 2014. (U.S Army photo by Cpl.
Alex Flynn)

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War Eagles Update
Lt. Col. Phillip K. Gage the commander of 1st
Squadron, 2d Cavalry Regiment and his
Command Sgt. Maj. Martin Celestine uncase their unit colors during a ceremony Feb.
28, 2014 at Vilseck, Germany. This ceremony served to officially mark the return of
the squadron from deployment, the deactivation of the War Eagle Ready Reserve, and
the reunion of Comanche Troop with 1st
Squadron.
D
uring February the War Eagles were focused on consolidating and re-organizing
the squadron following a
successful deployment in support of
Operation Enduring Freedom.
This included merging the forward
and rear property books and adjustments to personnel as the War Eagle
Ready Reserve merged with the rest of
the squadron. The War Eagles also reestablished their systems and battle
rhythm to enable training and operations.
In addition to the normal daily operations of the squadron, members of the
War Eagles participated in a multitude
of recreational activities designed to
enhance resiliency throughout the
month. Soldiers from both Mustang
and Bull Troops participated in the 2d
Cavalry Regiment’s Warrior Adventure
Quest.
This program served to provide platoons the opportunity for team building
and also to give Soldiers safe and controlled activities to relieve stress and
ease reintegration following the Regiment’s combat deployment.
Soldiers participated in instructor-led
events that served to foster trust in
their comrades, leaders, equipment
and training.
These activities included a high rope
course and a paintball tournament.
Soldiers in Apache will participate in
WAQ March 10-12 and Soldiers in Comanche Troop are scheduled to attend
April 1-3.
War Eagle Squadron uncased their
colors during an outdoor ceremony on
February 28th. This ceremony served
to officially mark the return of the
squadron from deployment, the deactivation of the War Eagle Ready Re-
serve, and the reunion of Comanche
Troop with 1st Squadron.
During his remarks Lt. Col. Phillip K.
Gage, the commander of 1st Squadron, offered thanks to not only the Soldiers, noncommissioned officers and
officers of the squadron, but also recognized the families for their unconditional support of the unit.
Gage also reminded those present to
keep the Dragoons, still serving in Afghanistan, in their thoughts and
prayers.
As the month draws to a close, the
War Eagles have a lot to look forward
to in March.
Key events coming up include the
squadron after action review (March 46), the spouses appreciation luncheon
(March 12 , 11am-1pm in the Regimental Museum), and the spring ball
(at Marx Wreger Halle in Weiden on
March 29 at 1836).

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Cougar Update
Lt. Col. Charles Svelan talks with the
Afghan National Army’s 1st Kandak, 1st
Brigade, 205th Corps commander, Lt. Col.
Andor Mangol and Shah Wali Kot district
chief of police Capt. Bacha Khan about the
construction of a check-point near
Najmuddin village on February 22, 2014.
F
amily and Friends of Task
Force Cougar,
During February, the climate
of northern Kandahar Province
cooled to the lowest temperatures of
the year, but, at the same time, TF
Cougar was heating up with its most
significant operation to date in support
of Operation Enduring Freedom 13-14.
While Fox Troop continued to conduct missions in the deserts of Afghanistan, Eagle and Headhunter
Troops reintegrated into the Rose Barracks, Germany community and took
some well-deserved time for recreation
and relaxation with their friends and
families.
For many years, the Taliban have
been able to penetrate into northern
Kandahar Province through the Siah
Sang gap that allowed the insurgents
to take improvised explosive devices
and other weapons into Kandahar City,
where they would terrorize the local
population. Because the gap was so
important to the insurgents, they defended it strongly for a long time.
In February, due to the steady improvement of the ANSF and a little advice and assistance from TF Cougar,
the Afghan government cleared the
insurgents out of the gap and established permanent checkpoints there.
This operation’s success was a plain
demonstration of the Afghan government’s commitment to continue to
push the Taliban out of Afghanistan,
even as the US withdraws combat
forces, is a sign of the good work that
the Cougars have done in Arghandab
and Shah Wali Kot districts.
In March, the Cougars will advise the
ANSF to develop sound security plans
for the Afghanistan presidential election in April. This election will be decisive to the country’s future and TF
Cougar will help guide the security
forces so that the elections are inclusive, fair, and secure.
There is no doubt the families of deployed Cougars are eager for their
loved ones’ return and they should
take comfort that their Troopers are
coming home soon. In the meantime,
the Cougars are providing crucial advisory support and ensuring that the
good work resulting from the sacrifices
made by Cougar Soldiers over the last
decade in Afghanistan, are preserved.
In closing, I’d like to express our
thanks and gratitude to those of you
reading this – the friends and family of
Task Force Cougar – we would not be
able to execute the mission at hand
without your continued support!
Cougar 6 and Cougar 7
Toujours Prêt! Second to None!

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Wolfpack Update
Sergeant 1st Class Christopher R.
Schuerger a Gruber Award 2013
winner, is recognized by Brig Gen.
John Thomson, Regional Command
South, deputy commander of support. The Edmund L. Gruber award is
awarded to an individual whose
thought and innovation results in
significant contributions to the enhancement of the field artillery's war
fighting capabilities, morale, readiness, and maintenance. This award
is competed for Army wide.
W
olfpack Family and
friends,
February has been a
month defined by hard
work paying good dividends.
By this point in the deployment everyone has gained a high level of proficiency in their jobs. Equipment is being kept in the highest state of readiness and missions with our Afghan
counterparts are flowing smoothly. The
Wolfpack continues to work through
well established relationships and
bonds that have grown over the past
few months.
This month Iron, Killer, and Lightning
Troops all supported Afghan operations in Zharey, Panjwai, and Maiwand
Districts. Operations focused on supporting Afghan forces in removing enemy from these districts to increase
security in the area. 1st Lt. George
Runkle, the squadron battle captain,
describes the level of success that has
been achieved in the Wolfpack area of
operations as “our Afghan partners are
proficient and able to secure their
country without assistance.” This is the
goal the Wolfpack has been working
toward since its arrival and we are
happy to have achieved it.
Despite the high operation tempo,
the Wolfpack has been prioritizing Soldier professional development.
Throughout the deployment the Wolfpack has conducted five Soldier and
noncommissioned officer of the month
boards. These boards provided Wolfpack Soldiers and NCO’s the opportunity to demonstrate their professional
proficiency.
For the month of February Spc. Bailey and Sgt Pino, both with Killer
Troop, won their respective Soldier
and NCO of the month boards. In further support of professional development, nine Soldiers and 17 NCOs have
been recommended for promotion
since deployment. These promotions
were based on Soldier and NCO performances in the five promotion boards
that have taken place throughout the
deployment. Board appearances are
nerve racking experiences. They can
leave the Soldier wishing he were in
combat instead of having to face the
squadron command sergeant major
and troop first sergeants.
The brave that prepare for the
boards and succeed are met with the
admiration of their superiors and
peers, but most importantly have the
ability to advance professionally. Wolfpack Soldiers are leading the way in
adhering to the high standards of professionalism that are set to define the
Army in upcoming years.
As February draws to a close the
Wolfpack is looking to March. The
Wolfpack only has a few weeks left to
make a positive impact in the area of
operations before the incoming unit
takes over; however, until that day
comes we will continue to make every
day count. When the Wolfpack does
finally hang up its spurs it is looking
forward to a long awaited reunion with
Family and friends at Rose Barracks.

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Saber Update
U.S, Army Staff Sgt.
Trevor Harney from
Continental, Ohio with
4th Squadron 2d Cavalry Regiment keeps
watch as the unit visits
an Afghan National
Police (ANP) outpost
near Kandahar, Afghanistan. (photo by
Scott Olson/ Getty
Images)
D
ear Saber Supporters, this
second installment of the
2014 volume of newsletters
is also our second to last
deployed newsletter.
That should be good news to all of
our friends and families in Germany
and in the United States.
However, Saber Squadron has not
let up the pressure on the enemy
forces in the districts surrounding Kandahar Airfield. Your Troopers continue
to place constant pressure on the insurgent networks operating in the area.
Soldiers from Nemesis, Outlaw,
Palehorse, and Ghost Troops continue
their thorough reconnaissance and
security efforts in our area of operations, looking for the enemy as they
attempt to conduct their nefarious activities.
The Troopers’ 24-hour patrolling efforts have resulted in intelligence gains
that have helped us to further disrupt
the insurgent activities and literally prevent attacks. We can’t say enough
about the hard work they are putting in
day-in and day-out on patrol. Because
of the hard work your Troopers have
been putting in, the Regional Command South deputy commanding general provided the squadron additional
combat power from Battle Company,
1st Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment,
2nd Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division from
Ft. Hood to assist us.
Lately, the Troopers have been
working with our Afghan National Se-
curity Force partners to prepare for the
upcoming Afghan presidential election.
election day is April 5, 2014, but it’s not
too early to prepare for it now. Troop
commanders have been working with
their Afghan partners to conduct reconnaissance and to assess polling sites.
While the ANSF will conduct 100% of
the election day security, our Soldiers
have been consulting with them and
offering advice on their plans. This
election is an important moment in the
history of Afghanistan because it will
mark the first peaceful transition of
power ever.
While War Horse Troop is not directly involved in conducting security
patrols or assisting with election preparations, they are accomplishing one of
the most important tasks for RC-S and
that is the reduction of forces and retrograde of equipment. When War
Horse took over responsibility for Forward Operating Base Lindsey back in
late July, there was years’ worth of
equipment build-up as the result of
units “settling in.” Every unit that had
occupied the base before us had
rightly done something to improve living conditions there.
However, it has been War Horse’s
task to reduce the base and subsequently turn it over to the Afghan National Army. The plan when we arrived
was to turn it over this summer, but the
deputy commanding general challenged us to complete the closure several months ahead of schedule. The
Soldiers of War Horse have done an
outstanding job in working to meet that
goal and in fact by the time you read
this newsletter, they will have turned
over half of the camp to full Afghan
Army control, and the other half to another US unit that will conduct the final
turnover after the Afghan elections.
All Saber Soldiers are now off of
FOB Lindsey and consolidated at Kandahar Airfield. It took a tremendous
effort from the various platoons and
sections of War Horse to achieve that,
from the military police platoon and
medics who kept us safe and took care
of us there to the mechanics and support platoon Soldiers who moved tons
and tons of equipment off the FOB to
the mayor’s cell who managed the effort.
As our time in Afghanistan comes to
an end, it’s a good idea for friends and
family to reduce mail sent to Soldiers
here. Mail from the US shouldn’t be
sent here after March 7. Mail from
Germany shouldn’t be sent here after
March 14.
At this point, please limit what you
send to letters or goodies that can be
consumed, as Soldiers won’t have time
or space to pack additional items that
need to return to Germany with them.
Our next newsletter will be our last in
Afghanistan and we’ll probably all be
home when you get it.
Thanks for your continued support.

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Artillery Hell Update
Field Artillery Squadron Female Engagement Team members, Spc. Garcia and Pfc.
Bordelon, meet with the Saraposa Prison
Warden.
T
ask Force Hell continued to
train, advise, and assist the
Kandahar City Afghan Uniformed Police in February.
Simultaneously, the squadron has also
began redeployment activities.
Although TF Steel Warrior’s arrival is
much anticipated, everyone remains
focused on the mission at hand.
Hellraiser Battery continues to secure the Kandahar City AUP Security
Force Assistance Team and Archer
Battery continues to secure the Provincial AUP SFAT, Provincial Governor
SFAT, and the National Directorate of
Security SFAT. Lt. Col. Fandrich continues his engagements with the AUP
commanders in the city, preparing
them for the upcoming elections.
During the month of February, Hellraiser continued to excel at retrograde
operations and base defense. They
also established a Quick Reaction
Force for Forward Operating Base
Walton. Hellraiser conducted over 30
patrols to different sub districts
throughout Kandahar City and were
recognized by leaders within the Regiment and division for their tremendous
progress reducing the size of the base.
Hellraiser also fielded the first mobile
ALTUS Aerostat in Regional Command South at FOB Walton; this enables them to better assist the AUP’s
operations inside Kandahar City by
providing reports from persistent ISR.
In addition, Hellraiser reenlisted Specialists Garcia, Rodarte, Landrum, Lee,
Vedia, and Rodriquez. Also this
month, Hellraiser also promoted Pfc.
Hyde and Pfc. Vedia to Specialist.
For the upcoming month, Hellraiser
will conduct their relief-in-place with
Headquarters, Headquarters Battalion,
2nd Battalion, 77th Field Artillery.
Archer Battery continued operations
throughout Kandahar Province. The
assigned SFAT advisors, security force
and headquarters platoons have been
busy conducting their last full month of
operations before the RIP next month.
SFATs were busy as they furthered
their relationships with key Afghan
counterparts, setting the next advisors
up for success.
The Archer SECFOR platoons remained vigilant over the last month
while out on patrol. First platoon sent a
squad out to liaise with the security
leaders for President Karzai when he
visited Kandahar City.
While their role was limited, the overall operation demonstrated the Afghan’s capabilities and bodes well for
upcoming operations.
2nd platoon and SFAT 501 teamed
up with the AUP in Zharay to pass out
school supplies to local school children.
Archer’s 3rd platoon continued their
security for the local SFATs and the
NDS liaison and did a great job maneuvering the large tactical vehicles in
the busy and unpredictable streets of
Kandahar City.
The noncommissioned officers did a
great job at preventing any hint of complacency from entering into the formation.
Over the next 30 days Archer Battery
will conduct a RIP with A Battery, TF
Steel Warrior and prepare for redeployment back to Rose Barracks.
The Soldiers will be able to hold their
heads high while leaving Kandahar,
Afghanistan knowing they carried out
their mission with security and safety
at the forefront of every operation.

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Muleskinner Update
Sgt. Taschler of Headquarters and
Headquarters Troop, Task Force Muleskinner, inspects the engine on the
new mine resistant ambush protected
vehicle.
I
t’s hard to believe it is already
nearing the end of February 2014
and Task Force Muleskinner is
wrapping up its eighth consecutive
month in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
This past month, the Task Force has
been busy preparing our inbound replacements for a successful relief-inplace and transfer-of-authority on top
of its daily operations and duties.
Due to the complexity of the TF
Muleskinner task organization and mission, our RIP will be conducted with
multiple inbound units from 4th Brigade, 4th Infantry Division to include
704th Brigade Support Battalion, Alpha
Company/4th Special Troops Battalion,
and Delta Company/1st Battalion, 12th
Infantry Regiment and HHC 4th Brigade, 4th Infantry Division.
In order to facilitate this processes,
the command teams and staffs of both
units have been conducting weekly
teleconferences to discuss Muleskinner combined arms breach team operations, convoy security operations,
support operations, retrograde operations, administrative processes and
current enemy tactics.
It is our job as a Task Force to ensure the transition is as smooth as
possible, setting our replacements up
for success, which our Soldiers and
leaders have been working hard to
ensure.
A unique part of the TF Muleskinner
RIP is the turn-in of our current Stryker
fleet to be replaced by Mine Resistant
Ambush Protected vehicles to include
MaxxPros and MATVs.
This is required because 4th Brigade, 4th Infantry Division is a Light
Brigade Combat Team. This task has
engaged resources from the Task
Force as they train, test, inventory, and
QA/QC the entire Regiment’s fleet for
the incoming units.
The Lightening, Alpha, and Regimental Headquarters and Headquarters Troop executive officers and supply sergeants are working diligently to
inventory and inspect all incoming vehicles.
The maintenance platoon and communications shop (S-6) personnel are
working hard to ensure the fleet’s
maintenance and communications
meet the Dragoon standard, performing inspections prior to units receiving
the equipment.
This has been a challenge, as some
of the communication systems are
configured differently than those found
in Stryker vehicles.
Thanks to our internal inspection
team, the transfer of vehicle fleets will
be transparent to our replacements,
ensuring they can quickly assume operations and responsibility of the Regiment’s area of operation in southern
Afghanistan.

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Around the Regiment
Staff Sgt. Tyronne Jones (right) with Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 2d Cavalry Regiment, recites the oath of enlistment Feb. 19,
2013, at Landstuhl, Germany. Jones re-enlisted
during his recovery from injuries sustained during
an insurgent attack in southern Afghanistan.
(U.S. Army Photo by Sgt. Joshua Edwards)
Troopers with the Dragoon Ready Reserve
receive awards after competing in a number
of sporting events during the Vesta Cup competition Feb. 26, 2014, at Rose Barracks,
Germany. The Vesta Cup is a three-day
competition between squadrons within the
unit designed to boost morale and encourage
teamwork. (U.S. Army Photo by Sgt. Joshua
Edwards)
Regimental Chaplain, Maj. Robert Allman,
performs a baptism Feb. 9, 2014, at Kandahar
Airfield, Afghanistan with Sgt. Brian Kear and
Spc. Michael Culbertson, both from Alpha
Troop, Task Force Muleskinner, Combined
Task Force Dragoon.