1st Battalion 22nd Infantry News Reports April 2008

1st Battalion 22nd Infantry

News Reports

April 2008

MND-B Soldiers detain suspected EFP cell leader, seize cache

1st BCT PAO, 4th Inf. Div.
Multi-National Division - Baghdad PAO April 10, 2008

BAGHDAD - Multi-National Division - Baghdad Soldiers detained a suspected criminal cell leader
and seized several mortar rounds during a cordon and search operation in the Aamel Beladiya neighborhood,
located in the Rashid district of southern Baghdad, April 9. Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment,
1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, currently attached to the 4th Brigade Combat Team,
1st Infantry Division, acted on a tip from a concerned Iraqi citizen and detained the individual
who is believed to be the leader of an improvised explosive device production cell, responsible for making explosively formed projectiles.
The Soldiers also discovered an IED made of five 60mm mortar rounds and a flash-bang grenade.
"The tip that led to the detention of this individual is further evidence that the people of Iraq will not tolerate criminals
and criminal behavior," said Col. Bill Buckner, MNC-I spokesman. "Iraqi and Coalition forces continue to work closely
with Iraqi citizens to identify and bring to justice those who choose to disobey al-Sayyid Moqtada al-Sadr's cease-fire pledge."

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MND-B Soldiers seize rockets, weapons cache

Multi-National Division - Baghdad PAO

April 16, 2008

BAGHDAD – Multi-National Division – Baghdad Soldiers seized multiple rockets and weapons
in different incidents in the Rashid District in southern Baghdad April 14.

MND-B Soldiers of 4th Battalion, 64th Armor Regiment, attached to the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division,
seized 18 107mm rockets of Iranian manufacture with launchers April 14 in the Rashid district of southern Baghdad.

The 1st Bn., 22nd Inf. Regt. of the 1st “Raider” BCT, 4th Inf. Div., also seized weapons during a security patrol
in western Rashid. The “Regulars” Soldiers of the 1st Bn. 22nd Inf. Regt. captured three rocket propelled grenades,
and 75 shot gun rounds while en route to a nearby combat outpost. The Regulars Soldiers also detained a man
who was suspected of attacking coalition forces during the ongoing security operations in West Rashid.

The Raider Brigade Combat Team continues to conduct clearing operations in support of the Baghdad Security Plan
to create a safe and secure environment for people of the Rashid district and Iraq.

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MND-B Soldiers seize munitions in Rashid district
1st BCT PAO, 4th Inf. Div.
Multi-National Division - Baghdad PAO

April 25, 2008

BAGHDAD - Multi-National Division - Baghdad Soldiers seized munitions while patrolling their sector in the Rashid district
in southern Baghdad April 22. Soldiers from Company A, 1st Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team,
4th Infantry Division, discovered four Iranian-made 107 mm rockets during the effort to provide a safe and secure environment
to the 1.2 million Iraqi citizens who reside in the district.
"The 1st BCT, or "Raider" Brigade, continues to conduct daily combat patrols with Iraqi Security Forces to minimize violence,
and remains committed to the welfare of the Iraqi people," said Maj. Dave Olson, 1st BCT spokesman.

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Toby Keith brings country music to Iraq

Spc. Aaron Rosencrans

MND-B PAO

April 28, 2008

CAMP LIBERTY, Iraq – World-renowned country music star, Toby Keith, brought a big taste of home to Soldiers, Sailors, Marines and Airmen
during a concert at the Camp Liberty Post Exchange Stage April 26. Multi-National Division – Baghdad Soldiers, along with their fellow service members
from every corner of the Victory Base Complex, filled the Liberty PX courtyard to watch Keith perform during his sixth trip to Iraq.

Part of the reason Keith has visited deployed service members so frequently is because of his love for the service members
and the American way of life. “We like to come over here and say thank you to the troops,” Keith said.
“We hope the music we bring takes everybody’s mind off of what they’re doing for a couple hours
and lets them enjoy life the way free Americans are supposed to enjoy it.”

Soldiers seemed overjoyed to have the country great perform for them in the combat zone. Sgt. Steven Haught,
a native of Hillsborough, N.H., who serves as a forward observer with Company B, 1st Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment,
1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, MND-B, repeatedly thanked the United Services Organizations for bringing Keith here.
“Toby Keith is the bomb – he rules,” Haught said. “USO, you’re the best for bringing Toby Keith to Liberty.
“These concerts give us something to look forward to and it’s good for us.”

One Soldier’s excitement for the concert brought him to the stage more than 12 hours before the concert even started
just so he could have a good spot to watch Keith in action. “I’ve been waiting since about 7:30 this morning,”
said Warrant Officer Brad Carpenter, a native of Opelika , Ala. , who serves as the brigade communications technician
with Headquarter and Headquarters Company, 62nd Medical Brigade, Multi-National Corps – Iraq .
“I’m a big patriot and I love our country. Toby Keith is like an idol. He’s the biggest country singer and patriot I know,
so I’m honored to be here for my first concert ever.”

Toby Keith (right) and Rich Eckhardt jam out together during a concert for service members
at the Camp Liberty Post Exchange Stage April 26 during Keith's sixth United Services Organizations tour.

Keith’s father served his country as a Soldier, so he has felt a deep connection to service members and veterans from an early age.
“My father was a Soldier, so he instilled in us three kids, at a young age, to respect veterans and how important the military is to free people,”
Keith said. “(These concerts) are pretty much a tribute to him.”

Soldiers were drawn into the music and sang along with the band as Keith sang some of his hits like “Whiskey Girl” and “American Soldier.”

Before the concert, Multi-National Division – Baghdad Soldiers lined the hallway at the division’s headquarters building
for the opportunity to shake Keith’s hand and have their picture taken with him. Keith said he wanted to make sure all service members know
they are supported back home and to keep driving forward here.

“Godspeed, you’re doing a great job,” said Keith. “America is behind you – and don’t listen to the morons.
There’s 10 percent of the right wingers and the left wingers who make all the racket. Don’t listen to none of them; it’s no good for you.
Just keep doing your job at hand and Godspeed to you. You’re doing a hell of a job.”

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MND-B Soldiers find 2 significant cache finds in Baghdad

1st BCT PAO, 4th Inf. Div.
Multi-National Division - Baghdad PAO

April 29, 2008

FORWARD OPERATING BASE FALCON, Iraq - Multi-National Division - Baghdad Soldiers discovered a significant cache
in the western Rashid district of Baghdad and one near a mosque in Abu T'shir April 28.
Soldiers of Company A, 1st Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division
seized 107 mm rockets and an incomplete explosively formed projectile during security patrols.
The Soldiers discovered the cache acting on information provided by an informant in the Saydiyah community,
after they detained five individuals and a sixth suspected of plotting terrorist activities against Iraqis and Coalition forces in Baghdad.
The cache was confiscated by explosives ordnance disposal for further investigation.
Soldiers from 2nd Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment also discovered a mortar system near a mosque
in Abu T'shir while acting on a tip from an anonymous citizen.
"The Raider Brigade Combat Team continues to take the fight to the enemy with concentrated combat patrols
conducted alongside Iraqi Security Forces to provide a safe and secure environment for the Iraqi
people, the Rashid district and the Government of Iraq," said Maj. Dave Olson, 1st BCT spokesperson.

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