Battalion Commander
           
Workhorse Families we have begun our year answering the call of freedom. The Soldiers of the Battalion are working extremely hard with a great sense of purpose and pride. The Battalion is trained, willing and able to accomplish the mission that we have been tasked.  

            The Battalion has received nothing but accolades for our proficiency and spirit. In fact of 16 like Battalions the 4^th Cavalry Regiment has trained they state we are among the best they have seen. It has not come at an easy price Hard Work both in Kentucky and here at Mob Site has prepared us for the task ahead. Our Mission in Afghanistan is to help the people and as always our Soldiers stand ready to answer that call.

            The people of Afghanistan are no different than you and I. They just want to go about their lives without the fear of extremists and thugs forcing their will upon them. They want to have opportunity and the freedom to live their lives as they see fit. Your loved one is about to experience a life changing event, We will be exposed to many different cultures not only among the Afghan people but also the many other NATO Countries with Forces participating in Operation Enduring Freedom. We will return with a new appreciation for the opportunity and quality of life we experience here in America. 

             We have also been blessed with the great generosity of Mr. Bill Baird who donated $49,000 dollars so that we could come home free of charge. He along with a number of other great Americans recognizes the sacrifice we all make. There will be a brief formation in Ashland on Friday morning when the Soldiers arrive at 0700. During this formation Mr. Baird will be presented with a plaque from the 201^st Engineer Workhorse Battalion in appreciation for his generous donation. Moreover, Mr. Karl Malone, a former Louisiana Tech and Utah Jazz Basketball Star, donated $76,000 dollars so the 927^th Sapper Engineer Company Soldiers from Louisiana could return home free of charge too.  It is touching to see people reach out to the Soldiers. It is a testament to the true patriotism existing across this country and the willingness to step forward to make an impact. It was truly refreshing to see the outpouring of support and I am forever grateful to those supporting the Friends and Family of the 201^st.

            I would ask that everyone have a Safe and Memorable time together with your loved ones. You are all great Americans and it is a pleasure to be associated with each and everyone in the Workhorse Family.

                                                                        MICHAEL S FERGUSON

                                                                        LTC, EN

                                                                        Commanding

Command Sergeant Major

Training has been going extremely well here at Ft McCoy. Soldiers remain motivated and all are working hard in preparation for our mission. I am sure you have heard about the wonderful arctic weather we have been having here, but morale has been high in spite of it. A lot of the reason the attitude of the Soldiers here has stayed positive is due to the work that has been going on there at home station by the Family Readiness Groups and Community, the job that you do keeps our heads focused on the business at hand here.

               We are preparing for our Field Training Exercise (FTX) that will begin here in a few days.  This will be the final training stage here at Ft McCoy. It will be a little more difficult during that period to stay in touch with our families so your support will become even more noticeable. Just like I tell the Soldiers here, keep your head up, reinforce the positive and don't dwell on the negative and this mission will be a positive chapter in your lives.

Thank You for your Love and Support.   

"WORKHORSE"

CSM Paul D. Royster

201st Engineer Battalion

Gov Cell 502-545-8264

paul.royster@us.army.mil

Keep up the good work I look forward to working with all of you in the future.

HHC 201st Engineer Extended Family,

            At Ft McCoy your soldiers are going through the final phases of training before we leave for Afghanistan. The high levels of motivation, professionalism, and flexibility they all displayed during training at WHFRTC have not dropped. Everyone is training hard, working late, and becoming better soldiers and better teams every day. Do not get discouraged if your soldier does not call every day because they are very busy. I know the struggle at home is at least as important as our training, if not more. I thank every family member for their sacrifice and your support to these outstanding KY guardsmen and women. Here are statements from some of the soldiers in HHC.


“The ability to give something back to the country that’s giving me so much is a blessing and an honor.” SPC Kevin Williams, RCP3

“We’re doing fine, great morale, and we are ready and looking forward to going overseas to defend freedom.” SPC Bruce Ashley, PSD

“The training is good and we are all feeling good.  We are getting prepared to get our job done.” PFC Felix Maggard, CLP

CPT D. Joseph Whitt

Hellcat 6

Commanding

Hello from A Co.

            I want to take this time to thank all the family and friends supporting our soldiers, you are the cornerstone of our mission. 

            The training here at McCoy is challenging and engaging on all levels.  We are being validated to go into country with the basic knowledge, standard to all units being sent to Afghanistan. We have been involved in individual and crew served weapons training, Urban Ops, Base Defense, and Mounted Combat Patrol.  We are getting ramped up to start training in a FOB (Forward Operating Base) similar to what we will experience in country.

            The training days at Fort McCoy are sometimes long, but are usually enjoyable.  If there are any concerns you might have, please contact the FRG or the soldiers performing rear-detachment in Ashland.  Thank you for the time you have set aside to help us all out.

CPT Michael Eubank

Phantom 6

A Company

            Bravo Company Soldiers are doing an outstanding job and accomplishing some great training here at Ft. McCoy!!  The weather has been a challenge, but we have been issued some great clothing items and everyone is learning to wear appropriate layers for the temperatures we are experiencing.  Even with the weather and constant days of long training, your Soldiers are staying motivated and focused on helping each other accomplish all tasks.  I could not be more proud. 

            Thanks for all the letters and care packages they have been receiving, I have had the pleasure of sampling some great peanut butter fudge, homemade apple pie fritters, and rice crispy treats!  I would like to extend a special thanks to Kayla Middleton for all the great work she is doing as our FRG president and thank everyone for supporting her and the FRG events and meetings.  We all look forward to seeing you soon on our pass, and until then, WORKHORSE!

CPT Derrick Frodge

201st Engineer Battalion

502-545-8270 (C)

"Kentucky's Workhorse Battalion"

Hello to all from Charlie Company! 

            We are nearing the middle of the road for training at Ft. McCoy, WI, and I can tell you that we are very impressed.  The support shown for our soldiers by the Active Duty Army, the Army Reserves, and the National Guard of other states has by far exceeded our expectations.  Not only are we receiving some top notch training, but we are also being treated with gratitude for serving our country, honor for the manner in which we uphold the values of the Army and our country, and respect for our heritage and proven experience.  I for one would like to thank these men and women that have already served their country and have volunteered to stay on duty, in most situations away from their families, to ensure that our men and women are trained in the best possible manner.

            I can assure everyone at home that all is well here.  We are all as healthy as can be expected, considering the weather and the cold and flu-like symptoms.  What we are most concerned with are the tragic things happening back at home.  SGT Lewis’ family experienced a fire in their home that, at the time I am writing this, we are not sure what the overall damage will be.  The Family Readiness Group has really stepped up to assist SGT Lewis’ family in their time of need.  I would like to express my personal gratitude and the collective gratitude of all Charlie Company soldiers to the giving members of our extended Guard family that have contributed to helping them out.

Charlie Company sends its love and thanks!

Sincerely,

1LT Daniel Cooper

Executive Officer, C/201st EN BN

            Hello to all the loved ones and family members of Company C 206th EN BN, Prestonsburg, KY. We have move to the second half of our stay here on Fort McCoy, Wisconsin. The post has been more than accommodating, and is much better than our mobilization at Camp Atterbury in 2004.

            Your soldiers have performed well here, and will get a chance to show what they're made of during the next couple weeks of training in the field. To this point, we have primarily trained on individual tasks, and now we go into collective (platoon) training.

            We have lost several soldiers to newly identified medical conditions here on post. These medical conditions have either required additional medical treatment back home. It is heartbreaking for me to have to send anyone home for any reason. These soldiers have poured their hearts into the unit for the last 10 months for this mobilization, but their bodies fell a little short of the task. Please give these soldiers and their families understanding of what they are suffering through.

            Again, I want to thank the families and loved ones for the support we get from home. We cannot focus on what's going on here if you aren't there taking care of business. Thanks for what you do!

Training has been going extremely well here at Ft McCoy. Soldiers remain motivated and all are working hard in preparation for our mission. I am sure you have heard about the wonderful arctic weather we have been having here, but morale has been high in spite of it. A lot of the reason the attitude of the Soldiers here has stayed positive is due to the work that has been going on there at home station by the Family Readiness Groups and Community, the job that you do keeps our heads focused on the business at hand here.

               We are preparing for our Field Training Exercise (FTX) that will begin here in a few days.  This will be the final training stage here at Ft McCoy. It will be a little more difficult during that period to stay in touch with our families so your support will become even more noticeable. Just like I tell the Soldiers here, keep your head up, reinforce the positive and don't dwell on the negative and this mission will be a positive chapter in your lives.

Thank You for your Love and Support.   

"WORKHORSE"

CSM Paul D. Royster

201st Engineer Battalion

Gov Cell 502-545-8264

paul.royster@us.army.mil

Keep up the good work I look forward to working with all of you in the future.

HHC 201st Engineer Extended Family,

            At Ft McCoy your soldiers are going through the final phases of training before we leave for Afghanistan. The high levels of motivation, professionalism, and flexibility they all displayed during training at WHFRTC have not dropped. Everyone is training hard, working late, and becoming better soldiers and better teams every day. Do not get discouraged if your soldier does not call every day because they are very busy. I know the struggle at home is at least as important as our training, if not more. I thank every family member for their sacrifice and your support to these outstanding KY guardsmen and women. Here are statements from some of the soldiers in HHC.


“The ability to give something back to the country that’s giving me so much is a blessing and an honor.” SPC Kevin Williams, RCP3

“We’re doing fine, great morale, and we are ready and looking forward to going overseas to defend freedom.” SPC Bruce Ashley, PSD

“The training is good and we are all feeling good.  We are getting prepared to get our job done.” PFC Felix Maggard, CLP

CPT D. Joseph Whitt

Hellcat 6

Commanding

Hello from A Co.

            I want to take this time to thank all the family and friends supporting our soldiers, you are the cornerstone of our mission. 

            The training here at McCoy is challenging and engaging on all levels.  We are being validated to go into country with the basic knowledge, standard to all units being sent to Afghanistan. We have been involved in individual and crew served weapons training, Urban Ops, Base Defense, and Mounted Combat Patrol.  We are getting ramped up to start training in a FOB (Forward Operating Base) similar to what we will experience in country.

            The training days at Fort McCoy are sometimes long, but are usually enjoyable.  If there are any concerns you might have, please contact the FRG or the soldiers performing rear-detachment in Ashland.  Thank you for the time you have set aside to help us all out.

CPT Michael Eubank

Phantom 6

A Company

            Bravo Company Soldiers are doing an outstanding job and accomplishing some great training here at Ft. McCoy!!  The weather has been a challenge, but we have been issued some great clothing items and everyone is learning to wear appropriate layers for the temperatures we are experiencing.  Even with the weather and constant days of long training, your Soldiers are staying motivated and focused on helping each other accomplish all tasks.  I could not be more proud. 

            Thanks for all the letters and care packages they have been receiving, I have had the pleasure of sampling some great peanut butter fudge, homemade apple pie fritters, and rice crispy treats!  I would like to extend a special thanks to Kayla Middleton for all the great work she is doing as our FRG president and thank everyone for supporting her and the FRG events and meetings.  We all look forward to seeing you soon on our pass, and until then, WORKHORSE!

CPT Derrick Frodge

201st Engineer Battalion

502-545-8270 (C)

"Kentucky's Workhorse Battalion"

Hello to all from Charlie Company! 

            We are nearing the middle of the road for training at Ft. McCoy, WI, and I can tell you that we are very impressed.  The support shown for our soldiers by the Active Duty Army, the Army Reserves, and the National Guard of other states has by far exceeded our expectations.  Not only are we receiving some top notch training, but we are also being treated with gratitude for serving our country, honor for the manner in which we uphold the values of the Army and our country, and respect for our heritage and proven experience.  I for one would like to thank these men and women that have already served their country and have volunteered to stay on duty, in most situations away from their families, to ensure that our men and women are trained in the best possible manner.

            I can assure everyone at home that all is well here.  We are all as healthy as can be expected, considering the weather and the cold and flu-like symptoms.  What we are most concerned with are the tragic things happening back at home.  SGT Lewis’ family experienced a fire in their home that, at the time I am writing this, we are not sure what the overall damage will be.  The Family Readiness Group has really stepped up to assist SGT Lewis’ family in their time of need.  I would like to express my personal gratitude and the collective gratitude of all Charlie Company soldiers to the giving members of our extended Guard family that have contributed to helping them out.

Charlie Company sends its love and thanks!

Sincerely,

1LT Daniel Cooper

Executive Officer, C/201st EN BN

            Hello to all the loved ones and family members of Company C 206th EN BN, Prestonsburg, KY. We have move to the second half of our stay here on Fort McCoy, Wisconsin. The post has been more than accommodating, and is much better than our mobilization at Camp Atterbury in 2004.

            Your soldiers have performed well here, and will get a chance to show what they're made of during the next couple weeks of training in the field. To this point, we have primarily trained on individual tasks, and now we go into collective (platoon) training.

            We have lost several soldiers to newly identified medical conditions here on post. These medical conditions have either required additional medical treatment back home. It is heartbreaking for me to have to send anyone home for any reason. These soldiers have poured their hearts into the unit for the last 10 months for this mobilization, but their bodies fell a little short of the task. Please give these soldiers and their families understanding of what they are suffering through.

            Again, I want to thank the families and loved ones for the support we get from home. We cannot focus on what's going on here if you aren't there taking care of business. Thanks for what you do!