1st Battalion 22nd Infantry

 

Unit Updates
2006

 

A Company, B Company, C Company

March 15, 2006

 

 

A COMPANY – GATOR

 

     I first want to welcome the newest Gators:

     They arrived to Alpha Company in the early morning hours of March 11th.  
It is great to welcome new Soldiers to the Army and their first duty assignment.  
We’ll do everything we can to quickly make them feel at home
and we hope the same can be done at Ft. Hood for their families.

     Congratulations are in order for our newly married soldiers – PV2 Allan Wood from 1st Platoon
and PFC Maria Davila (attached to A Company from the Division’s Special Troops Battalion) went home on leave together
and were married.   I would like to personally wish them the best of luck in their new lives together.

     The Gators continue to execute fixed site security, battle squad, and detainee operations.  
In addition, we train on basic Soldier skills like dismounted patrolling techniques, land navigation,
route and terrain analysis, marksmanship, and physical training.   Collectively, we work on urban operations,
mounted patrolling techniques, reporting procedures, vehicle recovery operations, and equipment maintenance.  
2nd Platoon is back to the battle squad mission and 3rd Platoon is on fixed site security.

     PFC Michael Monahan from 3rd Platoon has stood out recently for his understanding and employment
of both lethal and non-lethal force.   As an uparmored HMMWV gunner, PFC Monahan set the battalion standard
for his decision-making and precise application of force.   He taught Escalation of Force procedures to all of the officers
in the battalion during an Officer Professional Development class and then put those skills and understanding to use
as his squad found themselves in heavy vehicular and pedestrian traffic in downtown Baghdad.  
As the gunner in the lead vehicle, he quickly made many tough decisions on when to engage and when not to engage
to get his squad’s vehicles through the crowds and to assess the threat on the street.

PFC Brian Todd has distinguished himself while serving his time in support of the Division Holding Area.  
While always conducting himself in an exemplary manner, PFC Todd has provided excellent guidance to his younger peers
and worked to complete over 200 hours of correspondence courses within the last month.  
His hard work while doing “hard time,” sense of humor and tireless work ethic
has made him an irreplaceable member of the DHA guard force.

 

     PFC Elliot Stewart, one of our medics, was recently recognized for his immediate aid to a Third Country National
who had accidentally injected himself with an atropine injector.   His quick decisions and expert medical care
likely saved the man’s life and is another example of the caliber of Soldiers that we have in the company.

     The Gators are doing well, and we hope this finds you well also.

     —Captain Troy Parrish (Gator 6)

 

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B COMPANY – BEAR

 

     The Bears have continued to do all that has been required of them in the past month.  
The weather is quickly warming, and is probably the most accommodating we will have for the next several months.
  The rains have subsided over the past few weeks and the temperatures are quickly rising.  
Although there is much to be done, time is certainly beginning to pass quickly.

     Our first groups of soldiers departed this month for leave.   SPC Colt Barker was able to see his newborn son
for the first time and SGT Aaron Sisk was able to return for the birth of his and wife Amanda’s firstborn.  
We anticipate that all Soldiers who deployed in December will be given the same opportunity for leave
between now and September.

     Many Soldiers in the company recently participated in an operation to respond to the sectarian conflict
that arose in the region in late February.   In conjunction with the Iraqi Army, they provided the population with security
during a turbulent time.   During our continued operations, the vigilance of our 3rd Platoon and the Bradley crews
of 1st and 2nd Platoons have prevented any IEDs from detonating in our area since I last wrote.  
The dismounted infantrymen’s operations have seriously disrupted the insurgents in our area,
as evidenced by the capture of a major insurgent cell leader in our area.

This month, our attached mortar squad – led by CPL Shaun Shiraki – fired the battalion’s first mortar rounds
intended for insurgent forces.   They were extremely quick and accurate with their system which is a testament
to their leadership and training.   The Scout Platoon eagerly transitioned to their traditional reconnaissance duties
in the past month – having previously been burdened with route security.   We frequently still assign them infantry tasks,
but it is only proof of their flexibility and leadership that they continue to be successful.  
Last, but certainly not least, our mechanics continued to work harder and longer than anyone
as they maintained the vehicles that we never seem to treat as well as we should.

 

We would like to congratulate the following soldiers who have earned promotions this past month.

     Finally, we’d like to congratulate the following soldiers on their decision to continue their service as
evidence by their decision to reenlistment in the Army.   We thank them and their families
for their continued commitment and sacrifice.

·  SSG Gilbert Delacruz

· SSG Timothy Jones

· SSG Paul Marler

·  SPC Austin Fabacher

·  SPC Jeffrey Henley

·   SPC Scott Jones

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     I’d like to welcome the families of our twenty-one new Soldiers.  
They are quickly learning from their leaders and fellow Soldiers.  
Thank you all for your tremendous support, understanding, and prayers for our Soldiers.

     —Captain Matthew Weber (Bear 6)

 

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C COMPANY – CHAOS

     Over the last month we have been establishing a Patrol Base that we now operate from.  
We have built all the amenities such as picnic tables, bathrooms, and benches with plans of building a shower
in the near future.   We have made many new friends in the area to include the 20 or so children
that we distributed soccer balls to and play with daily.   We have a beautiful view of the Euphrates River –
it is only about 100 yards away.   We also have the responsibility to keep a Water Treatment Facility up and running
that provides water to approximately 150,000 people.

     There are two schools located in our area that we have recently adopted.
We are currently working on fixing the facilities such as the water and sewage.  
There are about 300 children in each of the schools. The kids all walk to school and are between the ages of six and twelve.
  Their classes start at 0800 which requires them to leave home at 0600 in order to get a seat.  
The schools only fit about 150 students a day so it is first come, first served.  They learn basic reading and writing –
then return to work on the farms around 1100.    I think passing our Soldiers on their way to school
is the highlight of their day.   I’m not sure if it is the smiles or the candy but they love our Soldiers.

     I had a small accident while putting up concrete barriers.  
The concrete barrier slipped from the chain that was pulling it and landed on both of my feet.  
I was lucky that it only broke one of them. I get to wear a nice looking walking cast.  
As always, the Soldiers have many nicknames that include Iron Claw and Robo-foot.  
They were also so nice and put a handicapped sign where my vehicle parks.

     Congratulations to SPC Kelley Martin and SPC Jeremy Tate for having healthy new additions to the CHAOS family.
  We also want to congratulate SSG James Bishop on his promotion.

    —Captain John Robertson (Chaos 6)

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