Berserker Monthly - Evansville Courier & Press

Rank/ Name: SGT Michael Riddle
Section: MEDIC
Unit: A BTRY 163 FA BN
Location: FOB Diamondback
Hometown: Evansville, Indiana
SGT Michael Riddle has
served Alpha Battery, 1-163d Field
Artillery with distinction and honor
during OIF 8-10. With valuable
combat experience gathered from
three deployments overseas, SGT
Riddle has become an asset to his
soldiers and his unit.
SGT Riddle has been
essential in the training of Combat
Life-Savers as well as his fellow
Medics. He works as a full-time
paramedic on the civilian side in
Berserker Monthly
SGT ERNEST GRIFFIN A BTRY 1-163 FA JULY 2008
Photo courtesy of SSG Lesley Newport
After mounting and inspecting his .50 cal machine gun and performing his
final radio checks, SPC Michael Barrentine, stands waiting in the turret of
his Armored HMMWV for a mission from FOB Diamondback to Q–West.
BERSERKER HERO
Of the Month
Evansville, Indiana and his wealth
of experience has been more than
beneficial to his soldiers here.
SGT Riddle was most
recently faced with a real-life mass
casualty incident along one of his
assigned routes. He sprung into
action and set up a casualty
collection point to treat casualties
and administer first aid.
SGT Riddle performed his
medical duties with such courage
and merit that he is this July’s
Berserker Hero of the Month. His
selfless service continues to set the
standard for his subordinates and
other Non-Commissioned Officers.
His actions bring great credit upon
himself and the Berserker Family.

Eight months have passed and four remain.
Though we are unable to see the light at the end of the
tunnel, I can sense it growing nearer. For the first time,
this month we began our planning to return home.
However, we still have a great deal of accomplishments
in our future and a small amount of time remaining.
This month was filled with many ups and downs
for our great Unit. At the end of the day all of these
experiences we’ve endured confirms that each one of us
in this Berserker Battery are much stronger than what
we were once perceived by ourselves and others. I am
amazed at how resilient we are. I am proud to command
each one of our Soldiers and determined to lead them
through these tough times without fail.
This month we said goodbye to the 87 th Combat
Sustainment Support Battalion and welcome the 18 th
CSSB. The 18 th CSSB will remain as our Battalion
Headquarters until we depart Iraq. They bring to the
table new ideas and enthusiasm to better support us in
our mission. You should know they are very good to us
and have our best interests in mind.
Commander
FIRST
SERGEANT
We also welcome d the arrival of our 4 th Platoon.
They are an Active Duty Platoon from the 51 st
Transportation Company. We look forward to molding
them into what makes this Battery great, Berserkers!!
What this Battery has accomplished with its security
mission throughout this part of the country is remarkable
and heroic.
With Soldiers like Specialist Gilbert Williams,
Sergeant Bryan McIntire and Sergeant Michael Riddle
on the battlefield doing what Soldiers do, I have
steadfast faith in the outcome of any adversity. These
Soldiers and others will be commended for their actions
and contributions to the Global War on Terrorism.
We ask for your continued prayers, letters and
care packages. I know our Soldiers miss home as much
as they are missed by their loved ones. Again, I am
available for any parent, spouse or significant other to
contact at matthew.haywood1@iraq.centcom.mil. If
you have any questions or problems that I can help
resolve, please don’t hesitate to ask for help or
clarification; Psalm 11…Berserker 6 Out!!!
Another month behind us and a lot has happened since our last newsletter. The battalion we are attached to
recently changed and we have welcomed the 18 th Combat Service Support Battalion to our headquarters out of
Germany. We paid farewell to the 87 th Combat Service Support Battalion as they finished their 15 month
deployment and returned to Fort Stewart, Georgia to their family and friends. We are excited to be working with our
new battalion and our Berserkers are prepared to adapt and compliment any enhancements this battalion
implements. Our missions are going well and I can assure you that your soldiers are performing all tasks and
challenges with a level of proficiency that is superior to any convoy security element in theatre.
I have learned a lot about our soldiers over the last month or so. They are very special in the sense that they
can be put into vast situations of stress and execute in a manner that in my opinion most could not! I have watched
these men and women grow and mature in so many levels. They are representing our great state in an unprecedented
way. We have also integrated an active duty platoon to our Battery. They are also out of Germany and will be
conducting convoy mission’s along-side our Berserkers. They seem motivated and well-trained and we are anxious
to welcome them to our family for the remainder of our tour.
The battery is still getting care packages from all over Indiana and it is great to consistently get a taste of
home; and I know the soldiers enjoy receiving the boxes when the mail system is actually working. Our goals are
established, our moral is high and the finish line of this deployment is nearing. I look forward to continuing to lead
the greatest Battery in Iraq and we would not be there if it wasn’t for our great support from our family and friends.
Berserker 7 – Bring the Pain!

Berserker Work
SPC Travis Wells laboriously puts on his
tactical vest before a convoy mission.
SPC Zachary Patrick instructs CPL James
Hughes on proper radio communication.
SPC Justin Williams performs radio checks
with his truck commander before mission.
SGT Messer and SSG James Vandine work
together to resolve maintenance issues.
SSG Donald Myrick works inside the rear of an Armored
Security Vehicle to ensure the engine is working properly.
CPL Aaron Fehrenbacher affixes a spotlight to the hood of his
M1151 HMMWV for better visibility during night missions.
SFC Anthony Maxwell removes the shipping slip from an
M1114 HMMWV tire for tracking and accountability.

HERO
Of the week
PFC THOMAS MCGINNIS
BOONVILLE, IN
SPC Thomas McGinnis has per-
formed above and beyond the
standard of what his duties require as
a soldier in Alpha Battery. The
Hospital was in need of a certain
blood type which SPC McGinnis had.
He made the choice to move quickly
to give blood to help save the life of a
stranger. SPC McGinnis is being
given the distinction of the Berserker
Hero of the Week as his actions are an
exemplary display of selfless service.
SGT ERNEST GRIFFIN
EVANSVILLE, IN
SGT Ernest Griffin has performed his
duties as Alpha Battery assistant
supply sergeant to a level above
standard. SGT Griffin spent many
painstaking hours recently ensuring
the completion of a Battery display
which received accolades from BN
and BDE representatives. For these
reasons, SGT Griffin is named the
Berserker Hero of the Week. May
his sense of duty be an example to all
Berserkers and all soldiers. *
***Narrative provided by 1LT Casey Nunn
LAST MONTH’S HEROS
JUNE 2008
LOGISTICS
Hero Award
SGT JASON GOODWIN
WALDRON, IN
SGT Jason Goodwin (seen here with
assistant SPC Jerry Mikesell) does more
than his share of Berserker work. SGT
Goodwin is the primary SAMS-E
operator, tracking all vehicle repair, parts
and equipment, and managing all of
Alpha Battery, 163d Rolling Stock. SGT
Goodwin has ensured that over 150
personnel remain licensed on all vehicles
and plays a huge role in overall mission
readiness. These actions make SGT
Goodwin the Logistics Hero for June.
SPC JERRY MIKESELL
INDIANAPOLIS, IN
SPC Jerry Mikesell has a variety of
jobs that he is responsible for and does
well above the standard. SPC Mikesell
makes daily trips to pick up mission
essential supplies and equipment and
tracks, orders and distributes all Class
IV maintenance parts. SPC Mikesell
also assists in Supply functions in the
requisition and distribution of Class II
supplies. SPC Jerry Mikesell continues
to set the standard for the maintenance
section and all A Battery Berserkers.
SPC JUSTIN WALSH
INDIANAPOLIS, IN
In identifying a possible explosive
device prior to detonation along
his route, SPC Justin Walsh had
potentially saved not only his own
life, but the lives of others. SPC
Walsh, lead gunner for 3 rd *
PLT,
has been granted the Eagle Eye
Award for outstanding situational
awareness and discipline. In
addition, SPC Walsh also received
an Army Commendation Medal
for selfless combat service.
*
EAGLE EYE
Award
SPC ADAM HUBBARD
MT VERNON, IN
SPC Adam Hubbard, gunner for 2 nd
PLT, was travelling down his
assigned route when he spotted an
improvised explosive device (IED)
before detonation. His discipline and
situational awareness potentially
saved his own life and the lives of
others. SPC Hubbard’s keen eye,
dedication to the mission, selfless
service and job proficiency make
him eligible to be submitted for the
Eagle Eye Award.
*** Photos Courtesy of SSG Lesley Newport

BERSERKERS in ACTION
Alpha Battery, 1-163d Field Artillery would like to extend deep gratitude to our Brigade Public Affairs Representative,
SSG Lesley Newport. SSG Newport worked tirelessly to ensure that as many Berserkers as possible were included in
his photography. SSG Newport has taken all of the pictures seen above as well as many more featured in this article. On
behalf of all of Alpha Battery, thank you for your dedication to the mission and all Berserkers!

LITTLE BERSERKER ARRIVALS
IAN DAVID KEMP JR. PROUD FATHER: SPC IAN KEMP
IAN DAVID KEMP JR. is the most recent
edition to the Berserker Family. He was born on May
27 th , 2008 weighing 6 LBS, 8 OZ and 19 ½ inches long.
Little Ian shows all signs of being a happy, healthy
Berserker baby boy.
SPC Ian Kemp, lead truck gunner for 3 rd Platoon,
was fortunate enough to be present for the birth of his
son while home for R&R in Evansville, Indiana. This is
Specialist Kemp’s first born son.
When asked about the feelings of being a new
father SPC Kemp smiled and said, “I can’t believe how
fast he’s grown! I’ve been away for only three weeks and
he’s nearly doubled in size!”
On Behalf of all A BTRY Berserkers:
Congratulations SPC KEMP!
BERSERKER GRAPHIC DESIGN
SGT Adam Overfield, most
notorious for his Berserker T-
Shirt Design, is at it again.
This most recent design is the
prototype for a coin shaped as
a battle axe to be given to all
soldiers serving Alpha Battery
163d Field Artillery. These
coins are projected to be
finished before the end of the
deployment to commemorate
serving during OIF 8-10.
*
***Photo Courtesy of SSG Lesley Newport

SFC Michael Cates
JULY 4
SPC Ignacio Diaz
JULY 17
Berserker birthdays
SPC Jerry Mikesell
JULY 7
CPL Nicholas Schweickart
JULY 21
SPC Clifford Johns
JULY 9
SSG Matthew Brinker
JULY 24
SGT Stephen Osborne
JULY 11
SFC Anthony Wester
JULY 26
PHOTO of the MONTH
Soldiers endure extreme temperatures when a thermometer shows a mere 119° in the shade.
PLEASE MAIL ALL PHOTO OF THE MONTH SUBMISSIONS TO: ernest.griffin1@iraq.centcom.mil
SPC Kyle Rickenbaugh
JULY 15
CPL Lance Yearby
JULY 29