1st Battalion 22nd Infantry FSC E keeps vehicles rolling

1st Battalion 22nd Infantry

Soldiers of FSC E keep vehicles rolling

MULTI-NATIONAL DIVISION – BAGHDAD

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

RELEASE No. 20080605-10

June 5, 2008

Soldiers of FSC E keep vehicles rolling to COPs, JSSs

1st Bn., 22nd Inf. Regt., 1st BCT, 4th Inf. Div., MND-B

FORWARD OPERATING BASE FALCON, Iraq –
The Soldiers of the 1st Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team,
4th Infantry Division, Multi-National Division – Baghdad, recently completed their second month
deployed to Forward Operating Base Falcon in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

For the Maintenance Soldiers of Forward Support Company E, assigned to the “Regulars” Bn.
of the 22nd Inf. Regt., motorpool operations bring long hours for the mechanics,
who support the 1st BCT in its ongoing mission to provide stability and security
for the Iraqi people of the Rashid district in southern Baghdad.

The Soldiers put in long hours of knuckle-busting work to stay on schedule and at times get a little dirty,
explained Staff Sgt. Brandon Pszanowski, platoon sergeant of the Maintenance Platoon assigned to FSC E.

The Soldiers work to ensure that 1-22 Inf. Regt.’s tactical vehicles are maintained at peak operating conditions
because hot weather and an austere environment take a serious toll on the unit’s equipment, he said.

The platoon jumped into completing the battalion’s scheduled services after finishing two hard weeks
of back-to-back convoy missions, said Pszanowski.

“Completing services is a real time consuming process, but it is a major factor in maintaining the fleet,”
explained Spc. Calvin Drake, a light-wheeled mechanic assigned to FSC E.

The Soldiers worked for several days to complete services on high-priority vehicles
for the battalion’s Quick Reaction Force. The vehicles were in need of quality maintenance,
said Staff Sgt. Rafael Rodriguez, a light wheeled mechanic and squad leader in the maintenance platoon.

“We had several issues come in the way of completing the services on time,
but my mechanics overcame all obstacles with ease and got the vehicles back on mission,” he said.

The crews responsible for Mine Resistant and Ambush Protected vehicles have also been busy
assisting the distribution platoon with convoy security and barrier emplacement missions.

During their down time, the Soldiers mounted lights on their MRAPs to help them see the roads better.

Soldiers preparing to mount their MRAPs and heading off on mission
said they find working with their fellow Soldiers in the vehicles helps build a sense of unity.

“I enjoy the special bond built between myself and my fellow Soldiers while spending long hours out on missions –
telling … jokes.”, said Spc. Andrew Mixon, FSC E.

The Soldiers use their MRAPs during combat logistics patrols in southern Baghdad,
where they are responsible for delivering the food, water, ammunition and supplies
to the combat units operating at combat outposts and joint security stations in Rashid.

FORWARD OPERATING BASE FALCON, Iraq – Pfc. Chad Bloom, a combat engineer from Madison, Wis.,
assigned to Forward Support Company E, 1st Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team,
4th Infantry Division, Multi-National Division – Baghdad, conducts routine maintenance on his M1152 Armored humvee
May 31 at Joint Security Station Jihad in the Rashid district of southern Baghdad.
"Regulars" Soldiers of the 1st Bn., 22nd Inf. Regt., 1st BCT, conduct daily preventive maintenance,
checks and services on their vehicles at the motorpool located on the patrol base.
The services ensure that the vehicles are maintained to standard and remain mission-capable.

(U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Brent Williams, 1st BCT PAO, 4th Inf. Div., MND-B

BACK