1st Battalion 22nd Infantry Update 6-15-06 Page 1

1st Battalion 22nd Infantry

Unit Updates
2006

1-22 BN CO, CSM, HHC, Chaplain

June 15, 2006

FROM THE COMMANDER

Hello from western Baghdad! We have now completed our six month here and we have had a month filled with change.
As we were expecting, the battalion has moved locations in Iraq and we now call CAMP LIBERTY home.
We have been living in three different FOBs since the day we arrived in January, but we are all back together
and it is great to have the team located in one place again. CAMP LIBERTY is one of the satellite camps
that surround the Baghdad International Airport on the west side of Baghdad. It is much windier and dustier
than where we have lived before. For the next few days, we will be consolidating our equipment
and preparing to accept responsibility for a new area of Iraq.

In the last month, our combat operations continued to increase in intensity
and we concluded our stay in southern Baghdad by capturing six national-level targets
and two additional Brigade High Value Individuals. Our Soldiers have amazed me at what they can accomplish
with minimal guidance and the war is truly being won at the small-unit level – our platoons, squads,
and individual Soldiers are the ones that are making the biggest difference.

Our work with 3^rd Battalion, 1^st Brigade, of the 6^th Iraqi Division continued this past month
and we completed our last operation with them on June 6^th. Over these past months,
we have watched the 3^rd Battalion develop their warfighting skills and I know they want to rid Iraq of the insurgents
even more than we do. We have conducted air assaults, raids, cordon and searches, checkpoints,
fixed site security missions, ranges, and a multitude of other events with them and have attempted to train them
in the ways of a professional army. Iraqi Soldiers have fought, bled, and died beside us these past six months
and they have our respect as fellow warriors. As we assume responsibility for a new area in the coming days,
we will partner with a different Iraqi unit for the remainder of the time we are deployed – this time, an Iraqi Brigade.

This past month, we suffered the passing of a brother and several others were wounded in action.
We lost Corporal Bobby West of B Company in the late afternoon of May 30^th when an IED detonated near him
as he and other Soldiers were walking nearby. Our thoughts and prayers are with him and his family in Arkansas
as they grieve for his loss. We will never forget Corporal West’s life, sacrifice, and service to the nation.

Although all of our wounded are expected to make recoveries and most were able to stay in Iraq to heal,
First Lieutenant Brett Wellensiek (D Company), Sergeant Brian Hartman (B Company), Specialist James Lewis (D Company),
Private First Class Siencio Galaraza (B Company), Private Second Class Calvin Davis (B Company),
and Private Second Class Kenneth Ellis (B Company) have returned to the United States this past month
due to the severity of their wounds. I continue to be amazed at the medical treatment and evacuation system
and I know that their skills have saved lives – I have watched it first-hand and I am always left with a sense of awe
and I am very proud of these great men and women.

On June 13^th, we completed the transfer of responsibility for our former operational area
to 1^st Squadron of the 10^th Cavalry Regiment. They are a unit from 2^nd Brigade of the 4^th Infantry Division
at Fort Hood and we wish them only the best as they take over that mission from us.
Our units got along exceptionally well during the relief-in-place process and I have every belief
that they will continue the work that we began in that area.

As you know, we have been attached to 2^nd Brigade of the 101^st Airborne Division (Air Assault)
for the entire deployment…until now. There have been countless acts of professionalism and personal friendship
that have occurred between our units and we are thankful for having the opportunity to serve with them.
Those friendships will last beyond the days of OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM and we will keep those memories with us
for the rest of our lives.
As of today, we are reassigned to 1^st Brigade of the 4^th Infantry Division – our parent unit from Fort Hood.

Over the past six months, our Soldiers have served in support of four different battalions
and we have included members of other Divisions and services (Air Force and Navy) into our task organization.
Our Soldiers have made immense contributions and positively effected what has happened in southern Baghdad
during these months and I am incredibly proud of each one of them and what they have accomplished.
No two companies have had the same tasks and each of our seven units has had a very distinct and challenging mission –
every one of them important.

Our combat operations have occurred while we have worked hard to improve the lives of the Iraqi people around us.
As we look back, we have helped them fix electrical problems, cleaned canals, dug wells, renovated schools,
repaired roads, opened markets, and watched the development of a burgeoning civil government in our area.
During my last meeting with the local government and tribal leaders, I told them that we were moving to another area
and they became visibly distressed – the council members asked me who they could contact to prevent us from leaving.
Since OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM began, they have seen twelve American units come and go and they told me
that we were the first unit they have had faith in and trusted. We have given hope to the people of southern Baghdad
and gained the respect of the people through our professional and personal conduct, warfighting expertise,
and a genuine concern for the people that we have encountered.

Leaving an area such as this is filled with mixed emotions for many. There is an excitement and anticipation
of a new challenge ahead but it is also mixed with elements of sadness. We have become friends
with many of the Iraqi people and we wish them only the best as they attempt to rid their country of the insurgency.
Our regret is that we will not personally see the mission through in that area as they continue the fight.
Additionally, we will always remember the brothers that we brought to southern Baghdad
but were unable to take home with us – Specialist William Hayes, Specialist Sergio Mercedes, Private First Class Sean Tharp,
Specialist Ronald Gebur, and Corporal Bobby West. They will remain with us as Regulars regardless of where we fight.

In the coming days, you may start to hear names of places like Abu Ghraib, PATROL BASE COURAGE,
and FOB CONSTITUTION. Some of our Soldiers will live in these forward deployed locations
but they are all still located within the area that our battalion will be responsible for.
Additionally, everyone will still have a living trailer on CAMP LIBERTY
even if they are spending the majority of their time at a forward-deployed location.

Not only have we changed locations, but we are about to say farewell to one of the key leaders in the battalion.
For the past year, Major Joe Holland has been our Battalion Executive Officer – the officer who is second in command
of the battalion. He has been the only Executive Officer I have had as a battalion commander and his contributions
to what we have accomplished cannot be measured in words. I have personally relied upon him mightily in the past year
and he has never failed. He has worked tirelessly in every endeavor and given his heart and soul to the battalion
to ensure our collective success. Simply put, he is one of the key factors in all that we have been able to accomplish
and we will miss him and his wife Laura greatly as they depart for another assignment at the end of the month.
Fortunately, they are staying within the Brigade and Joe will soon become the Brigade Executive Officer
for Colonel Pasquarette and 1^st Brigade of the 4^th Infantry Division. I will personally miss him a great deal
and we are all better people and Soldiers for having the privilege to serve beside him.
We will also miss Laura and everything she has done in support of our Soldiers.

We have also had a significant change in the A Company leadership recently.
In a June 5^th ceremony on the Victory Base Complex, Captain Drew Conover assumed command of the Gators
from Captain Troy Parrish. Just a couple days prior, we also conducted a Change of Responsibility Ceremony
where First Sergeant Michael Willis assumed duties as the A Company First Sergeant from First Sergeant Rohan McDermott.
I want to personally thank Captain Parrish and First Sergeant McDermott for their leadership this past year
and wish them the very best in their next assignments – Captain Parrish will soon assume command
of the Headquarters and Headquarters Company and First Sergeant McDermott has already returned to the U.S.
to attend the Sergeant’s Major Academy.

If you have any concerns or issues, please contact Captain Warren Litherland. He is our Rear Detachment Commander
at Fort Hood and his duty is to assist our loved ones in the states while we conduct our mission here.
He is doing a great job for all of us – especially during the trying days when the battalion suffers casualties
and his personal presence is required to comfort family members. His efforts allow us to focus most of our efforts
on the fight in Iraq, confident that he is taking care of so many things for us at Fort Hood and elsewhere.
Our Family Readiness Group leaders – wonderful ladies like Laura Holland – continue to take care of the home front
and we would also fail without them. I want to thank each of them personally and they have my undying gratitude.

The Regulars continue to set the standard in Iraq. We have collectively done great things in southern Baghdad
and we are now re-focusing our efforts to make a similar contribution in another area.
I am extremely proud of each one of our Soldiers. Your support continues to be critical
and I cannot say thank you enough for what you do for your loved ones.
Please keep all of the Regulars in your thoughts and prayers.

Regulars, by God! Deeds, Not Words.

Lieutenant Colonel Craig A. Osborne (Regular 6

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FROM THE COMMAND SERGEANT MAJOR

Hello Folks,

June 2006 – the half-way mark in our deployment timeline. The overwhelming majority of Soldiers in the unit
will tell you that they cannot believe that the time has passed so quickly – exactly the way I feel.
But, the calendar doesn’t lie. Six months ago, we were closing out barracks and our other Fort Hood facilities,
packing, battling freak Texas ice storms and Christmas traffic, and hearing Christmas music just about every other song
on the radio as we made our ways around the Fort Hood-Killeen-Copperas Cove area. This past month,
we are found closing out facilities on three different FOBs, packing to consolidate the battalion onto FOB LIBERTY,
battling temperatures that routinely reached above 120 degrees, and listening to the chatter of tactical radio traffic
on a variety of different frequencies as we maneuvered our vehicles throughout the Iraqi landscape.

By the time you receive this letter, the battalion will have completed our move to FOB LIBERTY,
which is one of several FOBs that ring the Baghdad International Airport (BIAP) in the central-western portion of the city.
We view this move as a positive step for the Regulars for many different reasons. Most importantly,
the battalion will be reunited under one set of colors again, rather than the temporary detachments
of three of our companies as was before. We will have different missions, a new “AO REGULARS” to learn,
different people to work with, and different people in the Iraqi countryside that we look forward to helping.
Our Soldiers will have better quality of life facilities than on FOBs FALCON and STRIKER
which should make life a little easier and more enjoyable during off-duty times.

We have completed all tasks associated with RIP/TOA (Relief in Place/Transfer of Authority)
with the incoming unit on FOB FALCON – the 1^st Squadron, 10^th Cavalry from our own division’s second brigade.
They are a great unit coming up from FOB CHARLIE in the southern regions of Iraq anxious to begin their new missions
from FOB FALCON. The transition between units has gone extremely well and we feel confident that they will continue
working the area aggressively and helping the people of former AO REGULARS.
We wish them great success and the best of luck for their future operations.

For us, we will soon begin our own RIP/TOA process with several units from Fort Drum’s 1^st Brigade,
10^th Mountain Division, including the “Triple Deuce” – 2^nd Battalion, 22^nd Infantry – another battalion
from our own 22^nd Infantry Regiment. From what I understand, this is a historic moment as it has been
since the Vietnam War that two battalions from the 22^nd Infantry Regiment have served in the same location at the same time.

As a personal note, I would like to bid a fond farewell and a hearty “thanks” for a job well-done
to one of our battalion’s First Sergeants – First Sergeant Rohan McDermott. First Sergeant McDermott
was selected to attend the United States Army Sergeant’s Major Academy in Fort Bliss, Texas –
a much deserved selection for a fine NCO who will undoubtedly make great contributions to the Army
as a Sergeant Major in the near future. To First Sergeant McDermott – great job, our sincere thanks
for all you have done for your company, and God’s Speed on your future endeavors.

Our mission here has not been without severe costs and this month we bid a Soldier’s farewell to a fallen comrade,
Corporal Bobby R. West. Bobby was well known throughout the battalion as a great Soldier, a young leader,
and a friend to many. Bobby was tragically killed in action this month while serving with the Regulars.
We are better Soldiers for having known and served with him and he will be sorely missed.
Our prayers go out to all of the West family.

And finally, a word of thanks to all of the families and friends back home in the US.
We cannot thank you enough for your support for the Soldiers of this battalion.
We greatly appreciated everything you are doing back on the home front for our Soldiers and families.
Thanks for thinking about us and keeping us in your prayers. Until next month,
thanks for your great support to the battalion, and may God continue to bless America.

Regulars by God!

- Command Sergeant Major Richard Beal (Regular 7)

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HEADQUARTERS AND HEADQUARTERS COMPANY – HAMMER

The Soldiers of Hammer Company have fought the good fight and finished the race here in the south Baghdad area
of operations. They have contributed greatly to our battalion’s success here, which was significant.
We have left this portion of the Baghdad Province in much better condition than we found it,
having captured and killed numerous insurgents, and completed various projects to improve the quality of life
for the local populace. We bid farewell to FOB FALCON and move to live at one of four places.
Some Hammers will live at CAMP LIBERTY – a large, well developed base west of Baghdad.
Others will live at either PATROL BASE COURAGE (in the center of our new area of operations),
FOB CONSTITUTION (in the eastern portion of our AO), or the Abu Ghraib Internment Facility
(near our western boundary). Each location will have internet cafes, shower facilities, a laundry service,
and most of the amenities found on CAMP LIBERTY.

The Scout Platoon continued to provide the Personal Security Detachment (PSD) to the battalion commander
and served as his security element as he traveled the battlefield. Regular 6 travels daily throughout the area,
talking to local leaders and checking on the troops. It is the PSD that protects him everywhere he goes.
Our scouts and snipers attached to B and D Companies have conducted numerous missions this past month
to locate enemy caches and to capture of kill insurgents. Each scout and sniper has been an integral part
of the success of their cross-attached company. I constantly receive praise from their other company commanders
on what a fine job they are doing.

The Mortar Platoon conducted many escort missions for the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Team
as they destroyed IEDs found throughout our area. They continue to operate in a company-sized area of operations,
cataloging business, searching for caches, and interacting with the locals to gain intelligence.
Some of our mortarmen have been selected to work with our Iraqi Army counterparts in our new area.
They will provide professional Soldier training to assist the Iraqis in further development
of their leadership and Soldiering skills.

The Medical Platoon has excelled at treating the traumatic wounds sustained by our Iraqi Army counterparts,
civilians wounded by insurgent bombs, and some of our own Soldiers wounded in action.
Particularly noteworthy is the performance of Private First Class Artur Liamin, who saved the lives of several Soldiers
who were hit by the IED that killed Corporal Bobby West of B Company.
He performed his duties flawlessly and is a testament to the professionalism of our medics.

The Battalion Fire Supporters continue to provide indirect fires, information operations, and lethal/non-lethal targeting.
They have proven their ability to deliver lethal artillery and mortar rounds in an accurate and timely manner
in support of maneuver operations. Additionally, they have ensured the local populace is aware of up to date information
pertaining to Iraqi and Coalition Force operations by delivering thousands of Baghdad Now newspapers and leaflets.
Finally, through extensive work with the Battalion Military Intelligence officer, they have detained several Brigade
and Battalion level targets. Sergeant First Class Stephan Battiest returned to us after a well deserved leave.
He will celebrate his birthday June 23^rd. First Lieutenant Robert Murray, currently serving as both
A Company’s executive officer and Fire Support Officer, recently celebrated his birthday on the 9^th of June.
Sergeant First Class Paul Nice’s wife, Debbie, will celebrate her birthday
in the states with their two sons on the 26^th of June.

The Command Group, Staff, and Headquarters Section planned, coordinated, supervised,
and supported several highly successful combat operations this past month.
The battalion found numerous IEDs and enemy caches which significantly disrupted the enemy’s ability
to launch attacks in our area of operations. The Headquarters and Staff also completed the transition
of our area of operations to 1^st Squadron, 10^th Cavalry Regiment by providing a well planned
and executed relief-in-place. Because of their commitment to setting the best possible conditions
for our relieving unit, the Sabers have been set up for success in every way.

Congratulations to the following Soldiers who were recently recommended for promotion or were promoted:

Sergeant Brian Verdeber passed the board and was recommended for promotion to Staff Sergeant (S2)
Private First Class Carlos Garcia was promoted to Specialist (Medics)
Private First Class Carlos Ramirez was promoted to Specialist (Headquarters Section)
Private First Class Foasepi Toeaina was promoted to Specialist (S4)

Our admiration and thanks also go to Sergeant Michael Kannitzer (Scouts) and his family for reenlisting
and for their continued dedicated service to and support of our nation.

We are proud of all that we have accomplished in our area and in some ways are reluctant to hand it over to a new unit.
With limited resources, we achieved a level of success unequaled by any other battalion in 2^nd Brigade
of the 101^st Airborne Division (Air Assault). More high profile targets have been detained in our area
than in any other battalion’s area – and in only four months. We have made significant progress
in disrupting insurgent networks, developing local leaders, and completing projects
to improve the quality of life in AO Regulars.

I am proud of all that the Hammers have done to ensure the success of this battalion.
We have significantly improved every aspect of our area. You can be truly proud of your Soldier,
because he has contributed greatly in his own way towards our defeating the insurgents in the area.
Rest assured that we will display this same commitment to excellence as we assume a new area of operations
to do what we have done here – win. We miss you all and until we have our long-awaited flight home…
know that we will live true to our motto of “Deeds, not Words.”

God Bless You,

—Captain Craig Childs (Hammer 6)

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FROM THE CHAPLAIN

With the battalion’s move from FOB FALCON to CAMP LIBERTY, we roughly label the halfway point
in this deployment. I find it interesting at how different people will mark how time passes out here.
For some, certain holidays serve as milestones to mark the time. To them, Father’s Day will serve roughly
as the halfway point, and Thanksgiving as nearly the endpoint. For the sports enthusiast, the recent start of the NBA
and NHL playoffs is their halfway milestone. If you ask, they may portray anticipation for the Major League World Series,
since this event marks the beginning of the end of our time here.

While milestones are coming and going, this midpoint can be an emotional trough for some.
In their eyes, there is no end in sight. For them, nothing good can come from this time of separation.
Please allow me to share some thoughts on this subject from the book of Romans. Chapter 5 verses 3-4 state,
“We also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character;
and character, hope.” Every single person reading this newsletter is currently experiencing a tribulation, or difficult time.
All of us understand how hard it is being separated from spouses, children, parents, and siblings.
In addition, there may be the extra strain of illness, financial stress, or other domestic problems.
With all of these life issues, it may seem unrealistic to think that there is actually a bright side to these dark times.
In our society, the rates of clinical depression might make you think that tribulations are more likely
to throw you over the edge rather than be of any benefit.

It is true that we can not always dictate when these life difficulties will occur; however, we do have a choice
in how we respond to them. This principle is what is at the heart of the Scripture verse above.
Faced with our current stresses, we have the choice to either allow these difficulties to spin us off into a pit of despair
or to use them as an opportunity for maturity. For example, the verse states that tribulation produces perseverance.
This is also translated to mean having endurance or patience. My 5^th grade teacher would often tell his students,
“Patience is a virtue, desired by many but acquired by few.” Wouldn’t you like to be a more patient person
with your friends, children, or other family members? If so, you will not make this change unless you face difficult times.
The reason why patience is acquired by few is because so many people would rather grow depressed
or bitter about their circumstances rather than learn from them.

Perhaps patience is a quality that you already possess. In that case, these current tribulations
can induce you to grow in character. For example, have you ever felt like you did not truly appreciate your spouse
or other family member? This time of separation hopefully will cause a spirit of thankfulness to grow in your heart.
Perhaps you have not been fully appreciative of what the soldiers of the past had to sacrifice
in order to purchase our freedoms. I guarantee you that you will have more appreciation for that now.
There are almost no limits to the lessons that can be learned in 2006.

As this halfway point comes and goes, I hope that this time will not mark a low point for you.
Instead, make this the milestone that marks when you decided to turn the difficulties of life
into long lasting emotional and spiritual growth.

—Captain Kevin Marsh MD, Battalion Surgeon

p.s. As you may have noticed, I am not the Chaplain. He is currently on leave so I am filling in.
This past Memorial Day, we marked an unfortunate milestone for our battalion. As many of you know,
we lost a good soldier and respected man when CPL Bobby West was killed in an IED attack on May 30^th.
In that blast, five other Soldiers were also wounded. One of them was Specialist James Lewis from D Company.
As the Battalion Surgeon, I get the opportunity to help teach parts of the Combat Life Saver course that is offered
to our front line Soldiers. Specialist Lewis was in one of those classes and was an excellent student.
In fact, I even videotaped him during a mock casualty scenario to show other students the correct way to do things.
On May 30^th, Specialist Lewis suffered multiple wounds from the blast. Rather than tend to his own injuries,
he immediately proceeded to give first aid to the Soldier with the most severe wounds.
This allowed the medic on the scene to effectively manage the other three soldiers that needed care.
While Memorial Day will always stand as a remembrance of the sacrifices that men like Corporal West have given,
it is also a reminder of the heroism of Soldiers like Specialist Lewis. Of note, the soldier that Specialist Lewis cared for
is still in critical condition but is steadily improving. Please consider saying a prayer for these wounded men,
their families, and the relatives of our fallen Soldiers.

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