Sergeant Major Terry D. Easter is an Ohio native. He entered the Army in April 1990 and attended Infantry One Station Unit Training (OSUT) at Fort Benning, Georgia.
His military education includes the Primary Leadership Development Course, Basic Noncommissioned Officers Course, Advanced Noncommissioned Officers Course, The Drill Sergeant Course, US Army Ranger School, Airborne, Air Assault, Pathfinder, and Jumpmaster Courses. He is a graduate of the United States Sergeants Major Couse, Class 60.
Sergeant Major Easter’s previous assignments include: B co 3-17 Fort Ord, CA, A co, 1-325 AIR, Fort Bragg NC, and A, B, D, and HHC, 1-501, and currently Rear Detachment Executive Offcer, 4-25 ABCT, Fort Richardson, AK, Sergeant Major Easter has served in all infantry leadership positions and has combat experience in Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Sergeant Major Easter’s awards and decorations include the Bronze Star w/OLC, Meritorious Service Medal w/OLC, Army Commendation Medal (10th award), Army Achievement Medal (8th award), Good Conduct Medal (6th Award), National Defense Service Medal (1 BSS), Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Iraqi and Afghanistan service medals, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon (Bronze Numeral 3), Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon (5th award), Combat Infantryman’s Badge, Expert Infantryman’s Badge, Master Parachutist Badge, Pathfinder Badge, Air Assault Badge, Army Drill Sergeant Identification Badge, and The Ranger Tab.
Sergeant Major Easter is married to the former Robin Pack and has two daughters; Terri (18) and Julia-Elizabeth (6).
OIF/Transition of Iraq (2003-04)/FOB Kalsu, Iskandariyah, Iraq
From Month/Year
May / 2003
To Month/Year
June / 2004
Description
FOB Kalsu is positioned in Iskandariyah, Iraq. In May 2003, the 220th Military Police Brigade directed the 504th MP Battalion to expand its area of responsibility north along MSR Tampa, from CSC Scania to the intersection of MSR Tampa and Alternate Supply Route Jackson, south of Baghdad. The extended area, which later became known as the true start of the Sunni Triangle, was the most problematic area of the battalion's area of responsibility. In an effort to stop enemy activity and continue to provide a secure MSR for troop movement, the battalion established FOB Kalsu, named in honor of First Lieutenant James Robert Kalsu, a Buffalo Bills defensive lineman killed in Vietnam on 21 July 1970.
Initially occupied by the 105th Military Police Company (Buffalo, New York) and then the 300th Military Police Company, FOB Kalsu quickly became a critical site with two objectives to provide immediate emergency response to convoys under attack and, due to its location, operate continuous MSR combat patrols in the battalion's most active area. FOB Kalsu's location at the start of the Sunni Triangle, just south of Baghdad, has made it an essential location to conduct operations against enemy forces and provide rapid assistance to coalition forces traveling on MSR Tampa. The 105th and 300th were engaged in more than 50 direct enemy contacts along MSR Tampa. As a result of FOB Kalsu's strategic placement, the battalion effectively responded to 20 IED attacks against coalition convoys, and combat patrols discovered more than 25 IEDs before detonation. Although FOB Kalsu came under frequent attack by enemy rocket-propelled grenade, small arms, mortar, and rocket fire, the units continued to provide an effective and aggressive defense, ensuring that the FOB remained open. FOB Kalsu was transformed from a bombed and abandoned former regime military antiaircraft radar station to a US military base whose sphere of influence extended well beyond the battalion's original expectations. The FOB now supports more than 350 soldiers from the battalion and the 2-505 Parachute Infantry Regiment and is slated to become a long-term base in support of future Operation Iraqi Freedom operations.
Marines, sailors and soldiers welcomed the opening of a new dining facility 15 August 2004. The new dining facility replaces a temporary tent they had used since the Army's field dining facility was closed here nearly three weeks ago. The new facility offers service members a refuge from the heat, dust and stress of working at a forward operating base. The dining facility, named Unger Hall, is named after Army Spc. Daniel Paul Unger, 19, Company A, 1st Battalion, 185th Infantry Regiment, 81st Brigade Combat Team, who was fatally wounded during a rocket attack here May 26. He died the following day.
FOB Kalsu is known to its soldiers as often being very dusty. The dust consists of a very fine, powdery mix of sand. This dust coats almost everything in the base and also makes its way into much of the equipment.
FOB Kalsu is a smaller base in relation to many other FOBs in Iraq. Its infrastructure is more temporary with soldiers mostly living and working in tents that are protected by blast walls. There are a few temporary buildings that house some of the offices on base.
LT Kalsu was the only pro-football player to lose his life in Vietnam and this FOB is honored with his name.
The PX consists of two large reinforced tents, one of which sported the main PX and the other holds a bazaar. The bazaar resembles a flea market and is run by Iraqis. Everything from electronics to musical instruments to jewelry and knives are sold.
