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http://www.facebook.com/one.twelve.infantry/info
Greetings Red Warrior fam-
ilies and friends! We are on
month #4 here at Kandahar
Airfield , and your Soldiers are
braving the triple-digit heat.
Since our last newsletter, we
have had many encounters with
enemy, secured a second Run-
Off Presidential Election, have
increased in combat power and
have lost a precious member of
our team in that of PFC Jake
Wykstra. The Red Warriors are
on patrol 24/7 in partnership
with the Afghan Army and Po-
lice: our active defense of Dand
and Daman Districts are pro-
ducing results and enabling the
retrograde and drawdown of US
and coalition forces with little to
no incident.
The Presidential Run-Off
Election went off without a
hitch. Regardless of the protests
in Kabul, I believe that this will
all be sorted out by 2 August,
and an announcement of the
new President will be made.
With it comes the signing of the
Bi-lateral Security Agreement
and an official partnership pact
for securitys sake made between
our two nations. Presently, Af-
ghans everywhere are enjoying
the Muslim holy month of Ram-
azan . Afghans must fast and
pray by day, and typically eat
and celebrate with friends and
relatives at night. As such, we
have shifted our operations con-
cept to focus our efforts when
our Afghan partners can execute
missions with us. The Red War-
riors will also say farewell to the
4
th
Infantry Division the par-
ent HQ for Regional Command
-South. The Transfer of Au-
thority (TOA) between the 4
th

ID and 1
st
CAV Division will be
on 7 July. Fort Carson will be
happy to see the division come
back home!
We welcome back Dog
Company as they assume re-
sponsibilities as a battle space
owner in AO Red Warrior. We
also have re-integrated 2
nd
Pla-
toon Arrowhead Company from
FOB Apache and have sent the
Scout Platoon to replace them in
Zabul, Province. To assist with
our active defense of Kandahar
Airbase, we welcome 2
nd
Pla-
toon, Baker Company 2-12 IN
and Apache Company, 2-12 IN.
They join our ranks in July as
Spin Boldak and FOB Walton
transfer to our Afghan allies.
The Lethal Warriors will make
us stronger in the days ahead.
Comanche Company and Beast
Company continue to take the
fight to the enemy in Daman
and Dand Districts. Arrowhead
is now consolidated and is my
largest company with the re-
sponsibility of protecting our
combat advisors: all 8 SFAT
teams! Hatchet is now 100% on
the staff or on ARF mission:
Mortars and Scouts go head to
head again! Eagle Company
keeps us on the road and con-
stantly fixes our weapons and
vehicles to make us mission
(Continued on page 3)
The Summer Fight
by LTC Dave Voorhies
The Red Warriors
are on patrol 24/7
in partnership
with the Afghan
Army and Police.
Page 2 THE RED WARRI OR PATH
THE RED WARRIOR PATH is published by 1st Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment (Light) for the families and friends of Red Warrior
Soldiers. 1-12 Infantry (L) is part of Task Force Mountain Warrior (4 IBCT, 4 ID). The task force is currently deployed to Afghanistan,
Regional Command South, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Contents of THE RED WARRIOR PATH are not necessarily
the official view of, or endorsed by, the U.S. government or the Department of Defense. Please send all questions or comments about THE
RED WARRIOR PATH to CH (CPT) Jeremie Vore at jeremie.a.vore.mil@mail.mil.


ON THE FRONT COVER: (FRONT) Beast Company, Task Force 1-12IN Soldiers patrol a wheat field in order to deny terrain to
insurgent networks.
LTG Caslen, Superintendent of the United States Military Academy, and Jeff
Monken, Head Football Coach for the Army Black Knights, meet with Red Warrior
West Point Graduates at KAF.
Page 3 VOLUME 2, I SSUE 3
The Summer Fight (continued)

Thank you all for
your continued
love, support and
prayers. Our
mission is tough,
but we are
tougher.
ready. As we move into the
high point of the fighting sea-
son, the Red Warriors stand
ready and with our greatest
amount of strength to defend
our fellow Soldiers and our
base .
To break up the grinding
(Continued from page 2)
The PSD receives a patrol brief prior to leaving on a mission.
pace of our ongoing operations
and reconnaissance/surveillance
patrols, we will have an Inde-
pendence Day BBQ and series
of sports and shooting competi-
tions for the Soldiers. Your
Soldiers will have an opportuni-
ty to compete in everything
from Powerlifting to Cornhole
to Dodgeball. We will also have
live music from several of our
officers and NCOs that purport-
edly have musical talent during
the open mike period in the
evening.
I again would like to thank
our supporters and donors for
supporting our Soldiers with
care packages and notes from
home. These are essential and
huge morale lifters! Mr. Mike
Pfalmer from Coors and Mr.
Tom Torres from FOB Colora-
do continue to lift our spirits
and help our families out back
home. Aunt Cathy Praino,
my friend from Bronx, New
York has also supported our
warriors in harms way and we
are truly grateful!
In closing, I want to re-
member our fallen warrior, PFC
Jacob Wykstra. Like many
young Soldiers, his heart was
too big and his time with us too
short. He represented the very
best of us. We kit-up every day
in his honor, and we will contin-
ue to make his service to this
battalion and his Nation matter.
Words cannot express my con-
dolences for this profound loss
to his family, his friends and his
unit. We have dedicated our
back-page of this letter to his
memory.
Thank you all for your con-
tinued love, support and pray-
ers. Our mission is tough, but
we are tougher. We will contin-
ue to attack. We are led by love
of country.
-LTC William D. Voorhies
RW6
Beast Company assembles for a Battalion Combat Badge Ceremony.
Alpha CompanyFrom the Tip of the Spear
by CPT Erik Anderson
Although the days
are hot, they seem
to pass by in a
flash as we
remain busy and
focused on our
mission.
Page 4 THE RED WARRI OR PATH
Dear Families and Friends
of Arrowhead Company,

Its a hot June afternoon in
Kandahar and the Run-Off
Elections of Afghanistan, alt-
hough complete, remain the
focus of your Arrowhead Sol-
diers. Initial reports indicate
success, with millions of Af-
ghans casting their vote in the
presidential race between Abdul-
lah Abdullah and Ashraf Ghani.
The Soldiers of Arrowhead
Company played a critical role in
ensuring preparations were
made for the many polling sites
within our Area of Operations.
Additionally, we focused on
confirming that our Afghan
National Security Force partners
were organized to guard these
sites and various other critical
locations throughout the area.
Your Soldiers provided
escort and security to multiple
Security Force Advisor Teams
(SFATs) during the day of the
run-off elections, enabling them
to interact with their partners
and provide critical guidance
during a key date in the history
of Afghanistan. Their hard
work has paid off. Countless
hours spent preparing, assessing,
and securing by your Soldiers
has enabled Afghans to once
again cast their vote. A job well
done by all, I could not be more
proud of everything this compa-
ny has accomplished.

In addition to preparing for
the Run-Off Elections of Af-
ghanistan, the company has
been busy reorganizing for the
assumption of a new mission
set, and more importantly, with
the welcoming back of 2nd Pla-
toon!
Upon relief of their mission
at FOB Apache, 2nd Platoon
rejoined the Arrowhead team
and now works and lives along-
side their brothers on Kandahar
Airfield. They have spent the
last few days getting organized
and conducting critical training
events in order to prepare for
their upcoming assignment in
support of the company mis-
sion.
In addition to reintegrating
2nd Platoon, Arrowhead has
welcomed several new and re-
turning faces to the company.
2LT Sutton assumed the duty as
the Company Fire Support Of-
ficer and Operations Officer, as
1LT Roberts has moved on to a
new job with 2-77 Field Artillery
and 2LT Moore has stepped up
as the Platoon Leader for 2nd
Platoon.
The mortars, under the
direction of SSG Baker, are
back from D Company. SPC
Ogea has assumed the duties as
the company senior medic and
2nd Platoon welcomed six new
faces: SPC Oliver, PV2 Donald,
SSG Drawdy, PFC Lalarank,
SPC Whittlesey, and PFC Poy-
nor.

In closing, it is hard to be-
lieve that June has come and
gone with such speed. Although
the days are hot, they seem to
pass by in a flash as we remain
busy and focused on our mis-
sion.
Your outstanding support
and continuous supply of pack-
ages and letters is much appreci-
ated - mail day is one of the best
days of the week!
Finally, we honor the ser-
vice and remember the life of
PFC Jacob Wykstra. On June
5th a memorial ceremony was
held on KAF to honor Jacob.
We send our sincere thanks and
appreciation to all of those back
home who are assisting the
Wykstra family during this diffi-
cult time.
Please continue to reach out
through the Family Readiness
Group if you have questions,
wish to become involved, or are
interested in the many resources
that are available to military
families. Well be home before
you know it.
ARROWHEAD 6
Gunners from 1st Platoon, Arrowhead Company take time to pose for a photo
prior to a mission.
SPC Burke enjoys some video games
during downtime.
Page 5 VOLUME 2, I SSUE 3
SGT Ellensohn, 1st Platoon, pulling security during a dismounted operation.
Arrowhead Company vehicles move through the area during sunset.
SGT Apolinar providing security during a Key Leader Engagement.
The stifling Afghan sun
falls on each Beast Soldier as the
June heat submerges our bodies
into its definite presence. The
taste of grit can be crunched in
between our teeth when biting
down. Sweat drenches the body
underneath our armor. Beast
Soldiers climb mountains,
search encampments, patrol
villages, hop farming creeks and
stick in the mud in local crop
fields while weeding out the
enemy from his hiding places.
The men of Beast company are
doing exactly what they were
built, bred and trained for.
It comes to the mind of
this writer that we are the last of
the Operation Enduring Free-
dom Infantry lineage to do what
it is we are doing. Nearly all
units in theatre are now focused
on operations inside an outpost.
Whether it is advising locals,
providing retrograde support for
redeployment or base defense,
it is rare that a unit leaves the
comfort of a fortified base and
ventures into the Afghan coun-
tryside. But this is exactly what
the Blackfoot Beasts do.
2
nd
PLT is now back with
its family, and the Company is
whole once again. We keep the
repetitive nature of daily patrols
fragmented by conducting Com-
pany events. We have trained
one another on several occa-
sions in the deadly art of Dodge
Ball. One must not only dodge,
duck, dip , dive and dodge a ball
while on KAF, but also while
outside these confinesMaybe.
Events like these help develop
our Company team on different
levels and provide a good purge
of tension.
The Company has contin-
ued this with award ceremonies
and promotions. Steven Delga-
do has once again increased in
grade, now to the rank of Ser-
geant. His promotion was fol-
lowed by many more including
Soldiers like Arturo Rodriguez,
Jeffrey Jordan and Eric Kilgore
who have risen to the rank of
Specialist. Additionally, multiple
brave members of the 3
rd
PLT
distinguished themselves by
being awarded the Combat In-
fantryman badge. Leadership of
the Company certainly swells
with pride at these events.
Our mission in the Dand
District of Kandahar Province,
Afghanistan remains clear. We
protect the base and Coalition
Forces from the enemy, assist
the government in the momen-
tous post election success and
hold the ground for future units
to retrograde through our battle
space. The Company continues
to execute these tasks with an
aggressive lead and a will to
finish this war before its transi-
tion; stronger than any former
unit that has operated in our
current retained ground.
Support from home is
overwhelming with a large,
steady stream of letters and care
packages flowing into the office
for Soldiers to pick up. The
Company cannot thank all of
you enough. Nothing quite says
morale like a box of homemade
cookies, a few extra pair of new
socks and a letter from the
woman you love. The men of
Beast company miss their loved
ones, their homes and their
country.
But the honor of the mis-
sion is certain. It keeps us grate-
ful to be a part of such a crucial
year in the life of the Army, a
year that will witness the first
true success of a democratic
government through the elec-
toral process of the Afghan peo-
ple assisted by one of the last
Infantry units to patrol this land
during the 15
th
deployment of
Operation Enduring Freedom.
The Company will firmly
plant its footprint in the history
of this war and the stamp left
behind in the soil will be
black.-BLACKFOOT 6
Bravo CompanyThe Blackfooted-Beast Lumbers On
by CPT Luke Rella
Page 6 THE RED WARRI OR PATH
Nothing quite
says morale like a
box of homemade
cookies, a few
extra pair of new
socks and a letter
from the woman
you love.
3rd Platoon assembles during Operation Renegade Fury III.
SPC Shurter targets an opponent.
Page 7 VOLUME 2, I SSUE 3
PFC Yazzi and SPC Gray examine their sector of fire while on patrol.
SGT Burruss calls for air support to scan the patrols outer perimeter. CPT Rella briefs his men during a Company Combined Arms Rehearsal.
Page 8 THE RED WARRI OR PATH
Charlie CompanyContinuing to Serve
by CPT Jason Kruck
The amount of
support we have
received is truly a
large reason
morale in
Companche
Company has
remained high.
Comanche Company Family
and Friends,
The summer is here in
Kandahar. Your Soldiers have
been maintaining constant pa-
trols with temperatures exceed-
ing 100 degrees every day. We
would all like to thank you for
the support from home, wheth-
er its care packages, letters, or
the frequent contact from
emails, phone calls, and video
chats. The amount of support
we have received is truly a large
reason morale in Comanche
Company has remained high.
The Company has main-
tained our high level of perfor-
mance by conducting multiple
Company level operations to
disrupt the enemy.
While we did have a close
call last month, thankfully the
Company came out OK and has
continued our mission. Your
Soldiers were recognized for
their actions that day by receiv-
ing either the Combat Infantry-
man Badge, Combat Action
Badge, or Combat Medical
Badge. Several Soldiers also re-
ceived a Purple Heart for their
wounds suffered that day. Lucki-
ly, most have completely recov-
ered.
Some other highlights
across the Company are noted in
the captions of the photos on
these pages. Thank you again for
your continued support. Please
feel free to reach out to the
FRG at any time. We all look
forward to making it safely
home to you all.
Sincerely,
CPT Jason Kruck &
1SG Josh Thomas
Strong Men are Harder to Kill
LTG Anderson visiting leaders from Comanche Company
Page 9 VOLUME 2, I SSUE 3
MG LaCamera coins Comanche Soldiers.
2nd Platoon prepares for a patrol during the rain.
2LT Jenkins receives his combat patch from his platoon.
SPC Navejar changes a flat tire
on patrol.
SGT Radcliffe and SPC White fly the
Companys Raven UAV.
SSG LaMarcus Bullock.
1SG Thomas making sure the
shrapnel is still in his leg.
Weapons training with Slovakian
Army Soldiers.
Page 10 THE RED WARRI OR PATH
ment since we have been mar-
ried. Next is a lady that all of
you know, Michele Edling. She
has been my FRG leader since I
took command last year and
works tirelessly to ensure the
Families of Dog Company are
taken care of. Thank you so
much for your hard work and
friendship, Michele. Finally is
our FRG treasurer, Michelle
Sozerman. Thank you so much
for being a good steward of our
FRG resources and for your
willingness to help out with the
FRG.
Feel free to send any ques-
tions you have about your Sol-
diers to Gabriel.c.manis.mil@mail.mil
(works here and back at Fort
Carson) or
Gabriel.c.manis@afghan.swa.us.army.mil
(Afghanistan specific).
Led By Love of Country,
CPT Gabriel C. Manis
CPT, IN
Commanding
Delta CompanyMoving, and Moving On
by CPT Gabe Manis
Commanding Dog
Company has
undoubtedly been
the high-point of
my Army Career
and one of the
most fulfilling
things I have ever
done with my life.
Dog Company Families,
I hope this newsletter finds
you all enjoying your summer.
The last month has marked a lot
of change for Dog Company.
Not only did we transition our
mission, but we gained back 1
st

Platoon, and now fall in under 1
-12IN for all of our missions
and administrative functions
again. Additionally, 4
th
Platoon
will be coming back to Dog
Company sometime in mid-July.
The next big change for
Dog Company will come on
July 30
th
, when I change out
Command with CPT Jim Lee,
currently assigned to the 4
th

BDE S3 Shop. I want to use
this newsletter as an opportunity
to recognize the Families and
Soldiers of Dog Company that I
have been fortunate enough to
lead over the past 14 months.
Commanding Dog Compa-
ny has undoubtedly been the
high-point of my Army Career
and one of the most fulfilling
things I have ever done with my
life. I wake up every morning
excited for the day ahead and
never lose sight of what a privi-
lege it is to be leading this or-
ganization. The reason for all of
this is that your Soldiers are the
most disciplined, hardworking,
and enthusiastic Soldiers I have
ever had the privilege of work-
ing with. Thank you for your
continued support of your Sol-
diers. You enable them to ac-
complish truly incredible tasks
on a daily basis.
I also want to use this op-
portunity to thank a few special
people in particular. First, is my
wife, Kerri. She is my best friend
and has been incredibly patient
and understanding with me over
the past years worth of late
nights, weekend calls, weeklong
field training exercises, a trip to
the National Training Center
and of course our third deploy-
Soldiers from 1st Platoon, Dog Company help each other over a large wall during combat operations in Central Kandahar
Province.
Page 11 VOLUME 2, I SSUE 3
SGT Wolf, a Squad Leader in 2nd Platoon, Dog Company, carries an AT-4 shoulder-launched rocket as he prepares to execute a Combined Arms Breach in
Eastern Kandahar Province.
An OH-58D Kiowa helicopter overwatches Soldiers of 2nd Platoon, Dog Company while they conduct recovery operations in Dand District, Kandahar
Province.
Page 12 THE RED WARRI OR PATH
Echo CompanyHot at Work
by CPT Matt Howard
As the mission
here dwindles
down, we will be
focusing on
retrograde
throughout
Afghanistan.
Distro Platoon after a long overnight mission.
boost for the company. Every
time the mail handlers enter the
CP with mail, Soldiers eyes light
up like it is Christmas.
In the upcoming months
the Company will be busy as
always. As the mission over
here dwindles down, we will be
focusing on retrograde through-
out Afghanistan. Both equip-
ment and personnel numbers
will go down and Eagle Compa-
ny will be standing by to support
any mission at hand.
Back at home, we would
like to congratulate the Pena
family on their new addition to
the family. We have also re-
deployed three Soldiers that will
soon depart the Army and move
on to the next step of their fu-
ture. Thank you for your service,
dedication and the best of luck
in the future, SGT Wright, SPC
Scott, and SPC Jimenez. We will
continue to re-deploy those in
the upcoming months who will
also be transitioning out of the
Army.
We would also like to send
congratulations to all of our re-
enlistments over the past two
(Continued on page 13)
Greetings friends and family of
Eagle Company,
I would like to start by say-
ing thank you for all the support
from those back in Colorado
and around the country. Your
support and thoughts are truly
what keeps us going and antici-
pating the return home to every-
one. The past two months have
been busy, from support to as-
sisting in the security of Kanda-
har Airfield.
Over the past two months,
maintenance platoon has dili-
gently worked to maintain the
vehicles that are being used non-
stop and driven in the 100+
degree heat that has arrived.
Although hot, the maintenance
bay has an air conditioning sys-
tem better than any office in the
area.
The mechanics continue to
kick butt as they work daily to
keep the fleet fully operational.
The initial rush when we first
arrived has ended and the focus
is now on maintaining and at-
tempting to stay ahead of the
work load. However, the work
has definitely not been limited to
the wheeled vehicle mechanics;
the specialty shops have been
working hard to service all the
night vision devices and weap-
ons in the entire battalion, which
is no small feat!
Outside of work, mainte-
nance continues to find ways to
make the time on KAF more
enjoyable. At least once a week,
they utilize the turf field at the
KAF board walk to play foot-
ball, Frisbee, as well as soccer
with our partners from Slovakia.
The competitiveness has raised
morale in the platoon and gener-
ally drawn them all together as a
team.
Distro Platoon continues to
support elements on multiple
day missions, deliver supplies to
our Afghan partners, and meet
with the multitude of local Af-
ghan training facilities that sur-
round Kandahar Airfield. Dis-
tro Platoon has become a multi-
faceted element able to conduct
any mission tasked with.
Headquarters continues to
monitor and track the daily op-
erations of the company and
ensure all Soldiers are taken care
of. During the month of May,
HQ platoon was responsible for
relocating the Command Post
from one building to another.
Soldiers, NCOs and officers of
HQ pitched in by moving furni-
ture, computers, radios and all
the graphics needed to run Ea-
gle Companys operations. They
made great use of their experi-
ence moving from post to post
in the Army and completed the
whole move in one day!
The supply section has been
diligently turning in equipment
that we fell in on when we first
arrived into theater. Kandahar
Airfield is downsizing as the war
winds down and in order to
meet requirements, HQ platoon
has been removing property
without degrading operations.
As always, mail is a huge morale
Page 13 VOLUME 2, I SSUE 3
Hot at Work (continued)

months, SPC West, SPC Rob-
erts, SPC Gallardo, SPC King,
SPC Knudson, SPC St. John,
SPC Foley, and SGT Man-
tanona.
The care packages continue
to pour in from a variety of
sources including: the chaplain,
volunteer organizations, and
family members. We all enjoy
munching on the various goods
throughout the work day.
Again, we thank you for your
generosity and thoughtfulness.
CPT Howard
(Continued from page 12)
Both equipment
and personnel
numbers will go
down and Eagle
Company will be
standing by to
support any
mission at hand.
PFC Dawkins receives his promotion paperwork during a promotion ceremony.
Maintenance platoon conducts classes on recovery procedures.
SFC Morales receives his combat
patch after 30 days in country.
1SG Meza demonstrates his weapon
cleaning skills.
SOLDIERS AT KANDAHAR AIR-
FIELD (KAF)

NAME (NO RANK)
TF RED WARRIOR
PLT/COMPANY/1-12IN
KANDAHAR AIRFIELD
APO, AE 09355

UNIT ADDRESS LIST
Page 14 THE RED WARRI OR PATH

SOLDIERS IN ZABUL

NAME (NO RANK)
ARF, TF RED WARRIOR
SCOUTS/HHC/1-12IN
FOB APACHE, ZABUL
APO, AE 09383
MAIL SERVICE IS AVERAGING 10-12 DAYS
WHEN SENDING
MAIL TO AFGHAN-
ISTSAN, FILL IN THE
BOLD SECTIONS
WITH INFOR-
MATION SPECIFIC
TO YOUR SOLDIER.
NEVER INCLUDE
RANK FOR SECURITY
REASONS
As we reach the four month
mark in our deployment to Kan-
dahar, we find ourselves diving
head first into the stifling sum-
mer months, full of triple digit
degree days and stunning hand-
tans. Hatchet Company and the
Red Warrior Battalion have
been extremely busy since the
last time this newsletter was
published, as we continue to set
the conditions for Afghans to
take the lead.
Due in part to the planning
efforts of the Red Warrior staff
sections, our Afghan counter-
parts effectively secured numer-
ous polling sites throughout our
battalions area of operations
allowing a safe and free election
on 14 June. The staff continues
to do an outstanding job on a
daily basis as it supports the
companies in completing their
mission.
The Mortar Platoon contin-
ues to do an outstanding job as
the Aerial Reaction Force based
out of KAF. Their success as
the KAF ARF is a direct result
of their relentless training regi-
men that includes sling load
training with helicopters, ad-
vance marksmanship training,
mortar training, medical train-
ing, and physical training.
Due to a tragic helicopter
crash on 28 May, the Scout Pla-
toon joined its sister platoon as
HHCHatchet Company Changing and Growing
by 1LT Tyler Cline
I cannot begin to
tell you how much
your support has
meant and
continues to mean
to all of us on a
daily basis
whether through
care packages,
letters, email, or
prayers.
it quickly assumed responsibili-
ties as the Zabul Province Aerial
Reaction Force out of FOB
Apache. The platoon leadership
has done an outstanding job in
preparing their soldiers for such
an important and exacting task.
Although they spend much of
their day training and conduct-
ing rehearsals and although
there arent as many gyms and
DFACs as KAF, they have man-
aged to find time to enjoy the
cooler weather and resort-ish
feel to the exclusive FOB
Apache.
The Medical Platoon just
recently transitioned from the
Red Warrior footprint to the
KAF Role 3 Facility, a giant
hospital, where they are now
running outpatient care. They
are now responsible for not only
Red Warrior soldiers, but all
coalition soldiers on KAF. De-
spite the gravity and scale of the
task, the Medical Platoon is
more than up for it.
The PSD Platoon is seem-
ingly the only element that has
not moved or transitioned to a
new job; however, they do have
some new faces. 1LT Daniel Yu
moved over from Comanche
Company to be the PSD Pla-
toon Leader and SFC Alfonso
Delagarza, once a member of
staff now freed, has become the
PSD Platoon Sergeant. Despite
losing personnel for medical
reasons, PSD still continues to
do an outstanding job day in and
day out.
To the families and friends
of Hatchet Company and the
Red Warrior Battalion, I cannot
begin to tell you how much your
support has meant and contin-
ues to mean to all of us on a
daily basis whether through care
packages, letters, email, or pray-
ers. We will continue to need
that support in the upcoming
months as we continue to work
and partner with our Afghan
counterparts to ensure the safety
of Americans and Afghans alike.
HATCHET 5

SOLDIERS AT WALTON

NAME (NO RANK)
TF RED WARRIOR
4/D/1-12IN
FOB WALTON, KANDAHAR
APO, AE 09637
From right to left: SGT Marshall, SPC
Estrada, and SPC Allsbrook in the
TOC.
Page 15 VOLUME 2, I SSUE 3
CPTs Brown & Martin work to perfect their briefing. The Scout Platoon prepares for an Aerial Reconnaissance over AO Red Warrior.
SSG Brownlee is promoted by MAJ Valimont. The staff enjoys some free cigars courtesy of CigarsForWarriors.net.
WE WILL NEVER FORGET
Private First Class Jacob Henry Wykstra was born 14 July 1992 in Louisville, Colorado. He enlisted in
the United States Army on 20 May 2013. He graduated Basic Training and Advanced Individual Training as
an 11B Infantryman at Fort Benning, Georgia from Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 19th Infantry. PFC Wykstra
arrived at Fort Carson, Colorado on 15 September 2013 and began his individual readiness training to pre-
pare for deployment with the 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team.
On 30 January 2014, he arrived to FOB Apache in Afghanistan as a member of the Aerial Reaction Force.
PFC Wykstra served with the platoon for 4 months as a rifleman on over 30 missions and multiple ISAF Air Op-
erations.
His awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Good Con-
duct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal w/ Campaign Star, Global War
on Terrorism Service Medal, Overseas Service Ribbon, and the Army Service Ribbon.
PFC Wykstra is survived by his wife, Katherine and his parents, Heidi Katzenbach and Thomas Wykstra.
14 July 1992 29 May 2014
To Wykstra, you are the funniest guy I have ever met. Thank you for always making me laugh and sharing the
love of our obsession with Tuna the dog. You were the epitome of an Infantryman. You were relentless. You
were always there, now and forever. You were the Infantry and I would have followed you anywhere.
-SPC Bramlett

We will always remember Private First Class Jacob Wykstra as the hero that he was, a hero whose story began
long before the fateful evening he was taken from this earth.
-CPT Anderson, Arrowhead 6

PFC Wykstra was a great Soldier, but he was an even better human being. I hold him in the highest regard as
a professional Soldier and a person. His service to his Nation: exemplary. His training proficiency and apti-
tude: the top 1%. His potential for future responsibility and leadership: without bounds. His notoriety, attitude
and laugher among his peers: infectious.
-LTC Voorhies, Red Warrior 6