1st Battalion 22nd Infantry News May 2006

1st Battalion 22nd Infantry

News Reports

May 2006

MND-B Soldiers uncover 6 weapons caches

Blackanthem Military News, BAGHDAD, Iraq, May 08, 2006

Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division,
discovered six weapons caches May 7 during a search in an area southeast of Baghdad.

The caches consisted of four rocket-propelled grenade launchers, 15 rocket-propelled grenades, six rocket-propelled grenade motors,
46 anti-personnel mines, two 155 mm artillery rounds, 1,000 7.62 mm rounds, 100 .45-caliber rounds, eight AK-47 rifles,
37 AK-47 magazines, seven artillery boosters, blasting caps, fragmentation grenades, six unknown mortar rounds, eight ammunition vests,
a 10-lb bag of high explosive materials, one-half pound of PE-4 explosive compound and various other bomb-making materials.

All munitions were destroyed by Multi-National Division-Baghdad Explosive Ordinance Disposal teams.

By MULTI-NATIONAL DIVISION - BAGHDAD
4th Infantry Division
CAMP LIBERTY

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IA, MND-B Soldiers connect with local community

Story and photos by Spc. Rodney Foliente

4th Inf. Div. PAO

May 13, 2006

BAGHDAD — Iraqi army and Multi-National Division – Baghdad Soldiers conducted a cordon and search mission May 3 with a primary goal
of establishing connections within the community for collecting intelligence from the residents of Hawr Rajab, which is located south of Baghdad.

Soldiers from 3rd Battalion, 1st Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division, conducted security searches in the area while MND-B Soldiers from
Company D, 1st Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment, conducted an outer security cordon.
“We’re hoping to establish future contacts to help us identify terrorist cells or threats in the area.” said Capt. Jared Rudacille,
commander, Co. D, 1-22 Inf. Regt.

He noted the importance of community relations, reassuring the people with a continued security presence,
and reminding the locals of their own role in establishing stability. “We’re only as strong as you allow us to be,” said Rudacille,
to a man who offered refreshments to the Soldiers. “The people of Iraq have to fight together to bring peace and stability to this country.”

The Iraqi man agreed and added that it is good to see a military presence, like patrols and the new Iraqi army checkpoint, so people can feel safer.
After the Soldiers thanked him for his hospitality, he and many other residents of the village took Rudacille’s contact information
and stated they would call to report any terrorist or suspicious activity.

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May 17, 2006

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a Soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Spc. Ronald W. Gebur, 23, of Delavan, Ill., died of injuries sustained in Baghdad, Iraq, on May 13,
when an improvised explosive device detonated near his HMMWV during combat operations.
Gebur was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Hood, Texas.

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May 22, 2006

MND-B Soldiers facilitate improvements, promote independence for Iraqi citizens

Spc. George Welcome

2nd BCT PAO, 101st Abn. Div.

May 21, 2006

BAGHDAD – While defeating the terrorists and bringing stability to Iraq remains the primary objective in the battle for Iraqi freedom,
rebuilding the daily lives of Iraqi citizens is equally as important. In order to establish a sense of normalcy in the lives of the Iraqi people,
Soldiers from 4th Infantry Division’s 1st Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment, attached to 2nd Brigade Combat Team,
101st Airborne Division, Multi-National Division – Baghdad, have been actively involved in renovating schools, aid stations
and other vital buildings in their area of operations in an effort to provide essential services for the Iraqi people.

On the morning of May 13, Soldiers from Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Bn., 22nd Inf. Regt.,
made their way to the Hamurabi primary school to attend a dedication ceremony. In conjunction with local sheiks and councilmen,
1-22 Inf. Regt. Soldiers helped coordinate the project to renovate the school. As the bell rang, the laughing children of the Hamurabi School
streamed out of the classrooms and through the sun-drenched courtyard. They had just finished examinations and were being released early.
The renovation project began with these children in mind.

“The project started on April 6 and it took a little over a month to complete the job,” said Capt. Craig Childs, commander, HHC, 1-22 Inf. Regt.
“The school itself is not in a town. The village that it serves is called Askariyah.”

The work performed by the local contractors would help to make the school more inhabitable, especially for the increasing summer heat.
“They (contractors) replaced the water pump and bathroom fixtures. There were a number of broken windows that they fixed,
and they also put air conditioners in each classroom and cleaned the area,” said Childs. “They also planted grass in the courtyard area,
which was not in the scope of work, but they felt it was necessary.”

The missions are essential to the development of the region and are a priority of the battalion. “Lt. Col. Osborne is very interested in fixing the schools.
Our two big things are fixing schools and water projects,” said Childs. Lt. Col. Craig Osborne is the commander of 1-22 Inf. Regt.

Once the school dedication ceremony was completed, the Soldiers then headed to the outlying villages, where several wells were built.
The wells will serve as a place for villagers to draw potable drinking water for themselves and their animals.

“The well projects came about because of Lt. Col. Osborne’s interaction with two local sheiks, Sheik Abu Dari and Sheik Abadon Dahesh,
of the Koresh and Askariyah villages,” said Childs. “They identified the need for clean drinking water in their farming communities.
I went out and talked to both of these sheiks, and they took me out with a guide and showed me where the wells should go.
We then sent two contractors down there to put the wells in.”

Though 1-22 Inf. Regt. coordinates the projects, the Iraqi army and government are taking the lead in creating a better community.
Their participation increases the people’s confidence in their protectors and leaders. “The intent is to get the Iraqis to take ownership
of a lot of the fixing of things. The local leaders do a lot of the coordinating.
We just facilitate and guide them in the path to improving their essential services,” explained Childs.

The people have expressed their pleasure in the efforts being taken to improve their lives.
“The people are very happy with the projects that are going on,” said Staff Sgt. Shawn Stahl, team chief, HHC, 1-22 Inf. Regt.
“It makes it easy for them to get water, and the schools are getting better for their kids. I believe that they will maintain these things
due to a conversation we had with the sheiks yesterday. They know it is up to them and the government to make sure everything is maintained.”

For the Soldiers, one of the most rewarding things about community improvement projects is seeing their Iraqi counterparts get involved.
“When we go out to school openings, you get to see the happiness in the children’s faces,” said Stahl,
“not only with the kids but with the Iraqi military. They hand out things, and it makes them happy and makes them feel like they are making changes as well.
It boosts the ego of the Iraqi soldiers to be able to come out and help their people,” said Stahl.

With the help of 1-22 Inf. Regt., the local Iraqi government in the villages of Askariyah, Koresh and other outlying areas
are beginning to realize the potential to change their communities and the lives of the local residents for the better.

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IA, MND-B Soldiers emplace security barriers

Story by 1st Lt. Dahbry Streets

1st Bn., 22nd Inf. Regt.

May 30, 2006

BAGHDAD — In an effort to deter the presence of anti-Iraqi forces in and around the Al Rashid district of southern Baghdad,
Soldiers from 3rd Battalion, 1st Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division, and 1st Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division,
have combined their efforts to emplace barriers along many of the access roads.

For several months, residents in the Al Rashid District have complained of the presence of terrorists on the local roads
that run through their neighborhoods. They use these back roads in an effort to avoid the security checkpoints manned by Coalition and Iraqi Soldiers
along Iraqi highways. Lately, in an attempt to avoid detection, the terrorists are continually trying to move the barriers.

While on patrol, Company D Soldiers observed that some of these newly emplaced barriers were moved.
“The Soldiers then proceeded to paint warning signs on the barricades in an effort to deter insurgents from moving them,”
said 1st Lt. Bret Wellensiek, platoon leader, 1st Platoon, Co. D. Additionally, the patrol observed a small bridge
that appeared to facilitate traffic, and positioned barriers blocking access to it.

Coalition Forces remain committed to protecting the citizens of Iraq . Both 3/1/6 IA and 1-22 Inf. Regt., have committed themselves
to not allowing the terrorists safe haven in the Al Rashid District. “As the concerned local citizens of the Al Rashid area begin to take ownership
of their neighborhoods, the insurgents will have no other option but to cease operations,”
said Sgt. 1st Class Paul Nice, a fire support noncommissioned officer, 1-22 Inf. Regt.

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