1-22 Update 01-06 Page 2

1st Battalion 22nd Infantry

Unit Updates
2006

A Company, B Company, C Company

January 15, 2006

A COMPANY – GATOR

Hello and greetings to the friends, families and loved ones of our Soldiers.
The past month has been a busy one which has seen a great deal of training and movement for everyone here.
Our time in Kuwait was well spent; if only to inoculate ourselves against the myriad of regional viruses the old fashioned way
—by sleeping in a tent with 100 other Soldiers. Thankfully, everyone came through the first two weeks in fine fighting form
and we all got to know each other a little more. After a period of hectic maintenance and solid training,
we packed our bags for the trip north and the commencement of our mission.

Since arriving on the ground on Iraq, a great deal has been asked of every A Company Soldier.
I am happy to report that they have all responded magnificently to the challenge.
“Professional” has been an often-used word when those of the higher pay grades encounter our Soldiers.
Our mission encompasses a wide breadth of activities from securing important 4th Infantry Division facilities
to providing crucial protection for the Division’s leadership.

Despite the long hours, morale has remained high. This is in no small part due to the bounty of food provided
at the chow hall, access the second largest PX in theater, and heaters in our wired trailers.
Interestingly enough, moisture has been a significant emotional event because our living quarters are in a location
which becomes a major tributary to the Tigris River every time it rains.

The days have already started running into each other and it is with some surprise that we look up
to find ourselves already a month away from home. It is the love and support of friends and family
that make the time away from home most bearable. I want to thank you all for the sacrifice you are making
by being separated from your Soldier. You are all in our thoughts.

—Captain Troy Parrish (Gator 6)

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B COMPANY – BEAR

I hope this letter finds you well after a safe and happy holiday season. Your absence this holiday season
made us especially thankful for the blessings we have been given, particularly those of friends, families, and freedom.

Since we left Fort Hood on December 13th, we have kept busy with receiving our equipment and conducting training in Kuwait.
We welcome the attachment of Bravo CRT (our tireless mechanics) and medics and fire supporters from HHC.

At Camp Buehring, Kuwait, when we weren’t busy sharing our lovely 100 man tent and all the luxuries it afforded us,
the Bears were busy preparing our vehicles and digital communications for the move north to Baghdad.
While the Bradley crews and mechanics were hard at work, our dismounted infantrymen received excellent marksmanship
and live fire training.

On December 29th, we departed Camp Buehring, Kuwait via C-130 aircraft to Baghdad International Airport.
There we boarded CH-47 helicopters for our final leg to south Baghdad. We celebrated New Year’s Eve
and welcomed 2006 with our arrival at FOB FALCON.

As I write this, our leaders are receiving training from the 502nd Infantry Regiment of the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault).
We are now attached to the 502nd, but will remain a part of Task Force Ironhorse (4^th Infantry Division).
Our non-commissioned officers are learning the techniques and procedures that have made the 502nd successful
in the area of operations to our west. We will spend the remainder of January rehearsing and refining these tactics,
as well as beginning our transition period with the outgoing unit. The training and time we are being afforded
will undoubtedly pay off in the months to come.

We’d like to send special congratulations to PFC and Tabitha Barker on the birth of Zaiden Alexander on December 31, 2005.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the other Bears’ spouses who are expecting in the near future.

The new year will bring many challenges, but rest assured that the fine Soldiers of Bravo Company will persevere
and do all that is asked of them. I’d like to thank all those participating in the Family Readiness Group –
we certainly could not do what we do without you. I’d like to especially thank Erin Jones for all her work with the FRG;
her job is truly a thankless one.

Thank you all for your continued support, thoughts, and prayers.

—Captain Matthew Weber (Bear 6)

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C COMPANY – CHAOS

Good things have happened in the CHAOS community during the last few weeks.
First and foremost I want to express my appreciation to the Soldiers of CHAOS for establishing a high standard of safety
and situational awareness since our deployment. We have conducted multiple training events
and large troop/equipment movements without any serious injuries. I am confident that our Soldiers will maintain this standard throughout the remainder of the deployment.

The CHAOS family would like to congratulate CPL Ruhl and his wife Amanda for bringing a little girl into the world.

Before we left Kuwait we had a promotion ceremony promoting SSG Hunter (who is the 3^rd Platoon Sergeant)
to Sergeant First Class (SFC). I kept my comments short that morning but the message was clear,
“Charlie Company is lucky to have Senior NCOs like SFC Hunter on our team”.

During that same formation we also presented an Army Commendation Medal to SFC McCallum
—the company’s Master Gunner and 1^st Platoon’s Platoon Sergeant.
He earned this award for his meritorious service as the Master Gunner
during the Tank Gunnery just prior to the deployment.

Our Team continues to grow as we receive additional service and support assets from the battalion.
Our personnel strength recently grew from 63 to 91. I ask the CHAOS family to reach out to those additional 28 families
in order to complete their transition to our team. I have sent the names and contact information to both of the FRG leaders.
We are also anxiously waiting for the remaining Soldiers who were unable to deploy with the main body
to catch up to complete the CHAOS team. Another pleasant note is that 1SG Salvante has safely arrived back into theater
after his emergency leave.

As I mentioned in the last newsletter, we will be attached to 1st Battalion, 502nd Infantry of the 101^stAirborne Division
(Air Assault). I flew to Forward Operating Base (FOB) MAHMUDIYAH NORTH
and spoke with our new Battalion Commander, LTC Kunk. He was excited to welcome us to the TALON team.

During my visit I was issued our mission and received final guidance on where we will be conducting operations.
We will be living at FOB LUTAFIYAH. It is considered a small post when compared to places like FOBs LIBERTY
and FALCON. The greatest benefit of operating out of a small FOB is the camaraderie and teamwork
that will be created by living in close quarters. It will develop a more cohesive fighting machine
and ultimately protect our Soldiers even more. The down sides to small FOB living are the limited luxuries –
such as no PX or laundry facility on site. We will conduct resupply missions to ensure that we have needed supplies.
I want to assure you that the needs of each and every Soldier will be met.

Even though we will be operating out of FOB LUTAFIYAH, our mail will continue to be sent to FOB FALCON
and will be pushed to us by 1-22 IN. I want to express to the families again on how proud I am
of the unit I’ve been given the honor of serving with. The Soldiers and leaders of this company continue to impress me
with their technical and tactical competence.

We think about you all often and miss you dearly. Please be safe and take care of each other like we are here.

—Captain John Robertson (“Chaos 6”)

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