1. LONGRIFLEs WEEKLY
A publication of the 2/138th FAR December 21, 2012
Volume 1, Issue 10
Commander’s Corner American, French and Dji-
MERRY CHRISTMAS from the Horn of
Africa!! Being separated from loved ones
boutian Soldiers Team Up
and family traditions is difficult and stressful For Desert Exercise
to say the least. The recent tragic events Story and Photos by Sgt. Alexa Becerra, 2/138th PAO
stateside re-emphasize the importance of our
families and can certainly make the distances
that keep us apart seem that much greater. With this in mind
I remind you all that none of us is alone here. While we do
not have the holidays at home, we have the holidays with our
Brothers and Sisters in arms here!
Our celebrations in Djibouti, Kenya and Ethiopia will feature
some deserved down time as much as our force protection
duties allow. We will have another feast prepared by the galley,
some opportunity to interact as units with church services,
gift exchanges, recreational activities and most importantly
time to call and Skype our loved ones. We are also expecting
a big push of mail today (Friday) which should bring us some
more long awaited items.
The work we are doing here is important. The Longrifles
are getting the job done in a magnificent fashion and will GRAND BARA DESERT, Djibouti - Sgt. James Cissell and Spc. King help French soldiers
attach a 120mm mortar to a truck to be moved to the next exercise location on Dec. 9, 2012.
continue to do so. For the folks at home during this holiday
season remember we miss you and love you and will be back DJIBOUTI - On an early African morning, before the sun
as soon we can. Merry Christmas to all! rose, a convoy of Field Artillery Regiment Soldiers with
~Lt. Col. Rob Larkin the 2/138th rolled out of Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti. They
were headed for the intense heat of the Grand Bara Desert
CSM Thoughts to spend four days and nights with fellow artillerymen.
A very Merry Christmas and Happy Yet, these fellow artillerymen weren’t wearing the
Holidays to each and every one of you! My same uniform. They weren’t even speaking the same
season’s greetings also extend home to all language. The 22 good ole’ Kentucky boys and girls
of your families! It can be a tough time to would be working and living with Soldiers from the
be deployed but there are many activities 93e Régiment d’Artillerie de Montagne (93rd Artillery
scheduled here for us Soldiers throughout and Mountain Regiment) out of Grenoble, France.
the Holidays. There is a 5K on the 23rd to a Christmas Carnival
on the 25th, and even some Holiday Bingo at 11 Degrees! “The purpose of this mission was to conduct a combined arms
Take part in these activities as a way of enjoying the Holidays exercise with the French forces in Djibouti, the 15th Marine
the best you can away from family this year. Also be sure to Expeditionary Unit and the Djiboutian National Forces
call home and tell your family Merry Christmas. Holidays to enhance our experience in working with international
are a time when we tend to let our guard down and relax, coalition forces,” said 2nd Lt. Doyle Stephens, officer in
and by all means I want you to do just that when the time charge for the 2/138th Soldiers participating in this mission.
is appropriate. Please remember safety must be maintained
throughout the Holiday season if we want it to be a joyous The 2/138th Soldiers worked alongside the French
time. Be safe today because we need you tomorrow. artillery forces and the US Marines for this exercise.
On another note, I am extremely proud of all of you for “We provided two five-man mortar teams, and a two-man
working so hard at your physical training. It shows! Our PT forward observer (FO) team that worked with the French and
scores on the whole are outstanding! Keep up the great work Marine FOs,” said Stephens. He continued “The mission was
and remain vigilant. very successful, we learned about their tactics, techniques and
~Command Sgt. Maj. Timothy Gividen
CONTINUED ON PAGE 2 > > >

2. AMERICAN, FRENCH CONTINUED FROM P. 1 > > >
Soldier to Soldier
procedures on how to set up and break down their mortars.” • Any Soldier interested in participating in a shout-
Not only was the mission a success because of all out should stop by the Public Affairs office located
the valuable artillery knowledge gained, but it in building 150, Monday through Friday from 1300-
was also a great cultural experience for both sides. 1600. POC is Capt. Van Horn, ext. 4807.
“I learned how to aim and maneuver the 120 mm mortar • We are trying to reach 2,000 ‘Likes’ on Facebook by
systems into key positions,” said Spc. Jared Gowens, a Christmas, make sure to invite your families and
Lexington, Ky. native and forward observer who participated friends to ‘Like’ our page
in the exercise. “I also made a lot of new friends, although it
was hard to understand them at times, but we communicated
• Soldiers who have pictures of training should send
well with hand gestures,” them to their battery UPAHR for submission to PAO
he added with a smile. • Any Soldier interested in volunteering for Troops
This training mission was a and Teachers on Tuesdays and Thursday evenings,
once in lifetime experience that contact 1st Lt. Weiler in building 150 or ext. 5031
I’ll never forget, said Gowens. • Have a very Merry Christmas!
“At the end of the four days,
I felt like I had known them
forever,” said Gowens about Chaplain Reflections
the French soldiers. “Even It’s Christmas, and a feeling of goodwill
though we are from different
is in the air, colored lights gleam through
countries, we know that
the dark night. Children are exuberant,
the French men we served
GRAND BARA DESERT, Djibouti -
with during this training smiling from ear to ear, filled with a
Pfc. Justin Jones and Pfc. Robert Rogers
receive a brief on tactics, techniques and exercise are our brothers.” contagious anticipation that lifts the mood
procedures for the 120mm mortar system of even the biggest humbug.
from a French soldier on Dec. 9, 2012.
Another purpose of this
The stores are crowded and shopping bags
mission was to help build partnership with foreign allies, said
are filled with carefully selected gifts. In the background
Stephens, and he believes they were successful in that pursuit.
sounds of bells ringing and a favorite Christmas song can
“This is the first time I’ve worked with a French be heard everywhere celebrating a season of cheer.
artillery unit, and due to their knowledge, This time of year brings with it nostalgia, full of fond
professionalism and camaraderie, I look forward
memories from the past and the hope for a brighter future.
to working with them in the future,” said Stephens.
Christmas works its magic on the Old Scrooges, and Mr.
After the exercise was completed, the sense of Grinch’s alike, making it hard for even them to resist
camaraderie was so great that both the French soldiers warming up to this season.
and the Task Force Longrifles Soldiers made plans No matter where you are in the world, one thread unites us
to see each other again soon for a reunion dinner.
all at Christmas, gifts are nice, but nothing can replace the
feeling of togetherness. Your presence will always be more
valuable than your presents.
Unfortunately, an ocean separates us but cards and letters,
phone calls, and video messages transport us to our loved
ones, even if it is just for a moment.
This year I encourage you not to spend Christmas alone;
check on a neighbor or a friend. Invite them to stop by and
spend some time catching up. Make sure to call your loved
ones, and never forget the real reason for the season.
“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour,
which is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2:11
GRAND BARA DESERT, Djibouti - Task Force Longrifles Soldiers and French soldiers
dissasemble a 120mm mortar system and prepare to load it onto a French Army Helicopter ~Chaplain Mark Slaughter
on Dec. 11, 2012.
Longrifles Weekly
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