1st Battalion 22nd Infantry Newsletter June 2008

Friends and Families of the Regulars,
The month of June has come and gone, and the Regulars continue to do an incredible job throughout Baghdad.
MG Hammond came to visit this past month and of the 4 hot spots that he talked about in the MND-B area,
the Regulars were on point in every one. Not only are we in these areas but we are having great success.
Security and stability are slowly taking hold and the citizens of these areas are beginning to stand up
and take control of their own destiny. As always, I attribute most of our success to the love and support
all of you give to your Soldier. Knowing that the home front is doing okay allows all of us
to focus on the task at hand and it has allowed us to get after the insurgents, terrorists and criminals
as well as work on projects to provide an economic base for the leaders in our areas to govern their people
and take control of their neighborhoods.

I am amazed everyday how well this Battalion is doing throughout Baghdad.
The Gators continue to keep the pressure on the insurgency and allow for their Iraqi National Police partners
to have great success in the area. We knew that some of the insurgent leadership felt secure in the A Company area
when we arrived. I am happy to say that they don’t sleep well at night if they do try and stay
and more than likely they have either been detained or have left the area all together.

The Soldiers of B Company have spent this month attached to a sister battalion just north of AO Regulars
and I am happy to report that they were a significant part in quelling the insurgency to our north
due in large part to the aggressiveness of the Bears. The Battalion Commander of the unit they were attached to
is a good friend of mine and he didn’t want to let them go once their mission was complete.
They are refitting and resetting as once again they have been given a new mission.

Copperhead has had a very unique mission in our area. The area that they own is continually looked on
as a model for the rest of Baghdad in reconciliation and security. This is due in no small part
of the leadership and fortitude of the great Soldiers of C Company. The insurgents tried to push back
into this area and Copperhead put them on notice with raids and constant patrolling.
Again they don’t sleep well at night or have been detained or have decided to leave the area all together.

Dealer has been attached to the Brigade’s Ghost Squadron since we came into country
and they have been in the lead for 7-10 CAV in detaining their Squadron’s top 10 insurgents.
Talking with the Squadron Commander he cannot talk highly enough of the aggressiveness
and professionalism of the mighty Soldiers of D Company.

Killer has been focused on the Al-Qaeda in Iraq (AQI) since taking over their AO.
They have had great success in detaining any AQI that were in the area or trying to come back.
E Company has not only brought and maintained security in their area but have worked hard
with the local leadership to provide them with electricity and other essential services
that this area hasn’t had in a long time.

The Eliminators continue to be the backbone of the Battalion. They are constantly working
to make sure our Soldiers are taken care of in all aspects of a Soldier’s life out here.
From making sure mail is delivered out to us to making sure our vehicles remain in top shape
in one of the harshest areas of Iraq they are there. It’s a thankless job, it a job that has to be done
and the tremendous Soldiers of E/FSC get it done to standard every time.

The Soldiers of Hammer Company continue to amaze me every day. The Company’s mission
is so diverse and so important to the success of our mission here. From the Scouts out on a raid,
the mortars standing ready for indirect fire missions, the medics split out all over the Battalion,
to the Soldiers of the Tactical Operations Center split in two at FOB Falcon and JSS Jihad,
they perform magnificently 24 hours a day 7 days a week. Their professionalism and high standards
represent exactly what this Battalion is all about. Quiet professionalism, and can always be counted on
to complete the mission; every time.

I am just so honored to serve with such great Americans. I am proud to be part of an organization
that is more “family” than unit. I know that I have stated this before but it is so true.
I would say even more so, as we move further into this deployment. We just couldn’t do it
without you. Every letter, every package, every email, and every phone call we make, is so important
to all of us. Just to know that someone back home is thinking about us makes the spartan lifestyle
we are leading a little more bearable. I would like to personally thank all of you for all that you do
for your Soldier. Be it an active member in the FRG or just an email to your loved one,
it all helps and I thank you. Remember stay engaged with your FRG. They are there to answer questions,
provide information or just listen. We have some of the best FRG leaders that I have ever seen
and they will do all they can to help.

Thanks again and may God bless all of you, the Soldiers of 1-22 IN,
and the United States
of America.

Our Soldiers have been performing very well and are always bringing great credit to this Battalion.
They are executing all of their missions and tasks with pure professionalism and discipline.
I am very proud to have served with such a prestigious group Soldiers.
So, for my news letter this month, I would like to highlight a few of them. This is not to say
that each and everyone of them doesn’t deserve acknowledgement, because they do.

As a mechanic from E FSC, SPC Kalvin Drake has distinguished himself by completing over 100 repair jobs
on the various vehicles and equipment assigned to the battalion.
Keep in mind, we have only been here for 100 plus days! This is not an easy task,
keeping our rate of operational equipment over 95%. SPC Drake also serves as a gunner
for the Distribution Platoon. He has performed this duty on at least 20 Combat Logistics Patrols.
In addition to these, he built a storage area in the motor pool for parts and shop equipment.
SPC Drake is a Soldier who is committed to supporting the team and is an example of excellence.

SFC Kenneth Griffin serves as the Tank Master Gunner for the Battalion, working in the S3 Shop.
While deployed, he works as a Battle NCO in the Tactical Operations Center.
This is one of those jobs that can be a thankless one, but it is very critical to the success of the unit.
He works 12 hour shifts, everyday! Like all of our shift workers in the battalion,
this duty can become very routine, almost like the movie Groundhog Day.
But SFC Griffin maintains a tight shift and does not settle for second best.
He understands that his job is important to the survivability of our Soldiers
working outside the wire. Of special note, SFC Griffin was recently awarded the Order of St. George.
This is a awesome accomplishment that merits a medal and certificate being presented
to those senior Soldiers who have made significant contributions to the Army’s Armor branch.
Congratulations SFC Griffin!

Alpha Company’s SPC Benjamin McIntosh serves as a vehicle driver in 1st Platoon.
SPC McIntosh strives for excellence in all that he does. Not only does his truck and
Bradley Commander expect him to keep his vehicle at a high state of combat readiness,
but also to operate the vehicle in a tactical manner while providing safety for the crew.
Our area is a sprawled, complex urban area with buildings and Iraqi citizens everywhere.
This requires a well seasoned Soldier to study and know his operating area like the back of his hand.
SPC McIntosh is one of these Soldiers. His daily duties provide success in our mission here.

SSG Steven Miller, a Bradley Commander serving with Company B, is the epitome of leadership.
He leads his Soldiers with a genuine concern for their welfare and the confidence to complete
the mission at hand. SSG Miller is one of those NCOs that can be counted on for accomplishing the impossible
and his reputation depicts this. His Soldiers will always give him their best because that’s what he is, the best!
Recently, SSG Miller received a concussion when his Bradley encountered an IED.
Yet, SSG Miller wants nothing more than to be there for his men
and to do what he loves to do, to lead them.

SGT James Carey is a tank mechanic currently assigned to Charlie Company.
As a tank mechanic, you would expect him to work on, well, tanks of course.
But SGT Carey has proven to be a mechanic of all trades. He repairs microwaves, air conditioners
(very important) and generators. He has also performed many tasks that require metal and wood fabrication,
such as doors and shelving units. More importantly to Soldier survivability,
he has constructed anti-sniper screens that mount to the tops of the barriers
that surround our outlying company bases. The screens prevent bad guys from looking into our positions
from elevated roof tops. In addition, SGT Carey has volunteered to man a gunner’s position
in vehicles that routinely perform combat patrols. He is an NCO who rolls up his sleeves
and works until the task is complete, whatever it may be.

As a Sniper assigned to our Engineer Company, SGT Christopher Collett is a leader out on the ground,
performing mounted and dismounted patrols in sector. He has been on point
during many of the caches that Company E has uncovered. SGT Collett’s unique ability to identify,
climb, crawl, dig and wiggle into suspected cache locations has diminished the enemy’s capability
to use these weapons against Coalition Forces. He is one of those guys that gets it done,
whenever and wherever. He is an NCO that creates a better unit daily by sharing his knowledge
and experience with subordinates and superiors.

The Regulars that I have just told you about are an example of what everyone in the Battalion does
day in and day out. I am honored to serve with the likes of these and those in this great unit.
As I am, you should be proud of what they are accomplishing, creating a safe and free Iraq.

Thank you for all that you do to support your Soldier and this Battalion.
God bless our Battalion, all of our families and God bless the United States.

Hammer 6

Hammer 7

I hope this has been a good month for you all at home. We miss you all
and keep you in our thoughts and prayers. For us it has been fast and furious.
The unit has accomplished great things so far and still has much to do.
We continue to train and hone our skills as we go to make sure we are prepared
to meet the challenges ahead. Over the last 30 days or so
I have developed a great appreciation for the work your Soldiers are doing here.
No matter what time of the day or night I walk through their work areas,
I see them working hard and making the best of whatever the day throws at them.

Morale remains high across the company, perhaps in anticipation of EML
(Environmental and Morale Leave). I have to admit that my wife and I are looking forward
to leave as much as anyone. I’d like to thank you all for your faithful support of the deployed Hammer Soldiers.
The packages, letters, and cards you send make an enormous difference in our lives.
We are reminded through your efforts that we have your support and understanding.

Congratulations are in order to many of you - we have had several promotions this month.
I’m always glad to see that the hard work our Soldiers do and the sacrifices our families make
are noticed and rewarded. Also, congratulations to the Walkers and the Hewitts.
We have two June additions to the Hammer family this month.
We wish you well.

Till next month, keep us in your hearts and prayers and we will keep you in ours.
Melissa and I appreciate all you do.
- Hammer 6. .

We have been here for 90 days now and the time has gone by fast. But you know what?
Now it is tough being here because the newness of Iraq has warned off,
the excitement of being deployed is gone, and we have found out that War isn’t like the movies . . .
they actually shoot real bullets. So I ask you, how are you holding up?

Is the newness of our deployment warned off?
Being proud that your husband is deployed is more a shrug of the shoulders?
The feelings of being all alone and the anger of “why did I ever get married” come boiling up?
But an even bigger question is this: Are you getting your rest?
I know many of you wished our roles were reversed; yes, our laundry is done for us —
free of charge, food is prepared for us—but it all taste the same;
we’re not responsible for our children — but have you seen how some of our junior enlisted Soldiers act?
Yes, it sounds easy but you haven’t taken a cold shower, can’t get a good night’s sleep
because it is so hot that sweat rolls into your eyes and keeps waking you up very 15 to 20 minutes,
or the biggest one, yes the laundry might be free but things don’t come back.
And they give you a dark tooth, cracked grin while saying, “No problem,
we will find it sooner or later. You do not leave for another 12 months right?
We find it — No Problem.” Some of the leadership is actually washing their clothes out of a bucket
every other day because “It is No Problem!”

Jesus tells us in Matthew 11:28 “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion?
Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life.
I'll show you how to take a real rest.” I think a lot of us are very, very tired.
We’re all worn out and even burnt out! But you know what? We all have to pace ourselves.
Each of us has our various ways of getting away and recoveringourselves.
But then you say “I can’t I have the children, no one is here that I trust,
we can’t afford to visit my family or his family.” So you continue to carry this load all alone,
trying to be Wonder Woman. But you know what? If you fall apart
we cannot afford to send your spouse home to take care of you and the children.
IT JUST WILL NOT HAPPEN! So what can you do? How do you real rest? Real Rest!

May I remind you that leaning on other deployed spouses is one way;
by establishing play groups with other women in the unit for the kids
will help you find that are not alone in this struggle AND you can get a break from the children.
The Child Development Center (CDC) will watch your children but call them for the particulars.
If they are being too bureaucratic, then many of the Killeen Churches
has Mothers Day Out program is available; where you can drop off your children
for a few hours so you go get your hair cut, a massage, manicure/ pedicure,
or grocery shopping without buying extra items. If this doesn’t work for you,
then please find the time to take care of yourself whether it’s a hot bubble bath with candles
after the children go down or sipping on Chamomile tea with a good book
or watching a movie before turning in.

Either way, you owe it to your spouse, children and more importantly, yourself to get some rest.
If you are encourage those who look like they need the encouragement.
This past month, we have made two complete visits to the JSS and both COPs;
to include providing Catholic Service at each location where 12 Soldiers attended Mass.

If you need anything or would like me to check up on
your Soldier, you can email me at timothysimons@ yahoo.com.