1st Battalion 22nd Infantry Unit Updates July 2008 Page 2

Gator 6

Gator 7

Time is starting to move by very quickly as the summer months continue to pass.
It is definitely getting hot here and we are anxiously looking for it starting to cool down
in a couple of months. However, we recently received a number of large generators
to replace our old, smaller ones so 95% of the Soldiers around the COP
have air conditioning 24/7, a major change from a month ago.

With that being said, the Soldiers of A Company continue to do a tremendous job
and continue to make noticeable gains on an almost daily basis.
The area continues to remain very stable as there has been very little enemy activity
in the last month. This, coupled with the sustainment of the security gained in June
has had a tremendous impact on the atmospherics in the AO.
The changes in the general mood of the population has been drastic,
as well as the expansion & increased population inside the market areas.
Additionally, people are staying out much later at night which is always a good sign.

One of the keys to making this happen has been the establishment of the Sons of Iraq program.
A large number of civilians have volunteered to work under this program as an armed force
that is subordinate to, but also augments, the National Police Battalion in our area.
This not only puts young men to work, but gives their families & themselves
a vested interest in the security of the area. This has allowed us to move forward
and focus on building a solid base for economic & political success, something I have yet
to experience while serving in this country.

Economically, we have spent a great amount of effort on both small projects
& also large essential service repair over the last month. We have assessed all the schools, sewage systems,
road networks, & electrical facilities and are in the process of competing for funds
to get those projects approved & funding allocated. We have also been preparing to execute
a major operation to return families that have been displaced due to the sectarian violence
in 2006 & 2007, back to their homes in Aamel. I estimate that there are over 1200 families
that we are looking to bring back over the next couple of months.
This is an extremely important issue for the Iraqi’s & one that they are eagerly
looking forward to accomplishing.

Lastly, I would like to again thank you for your support as we continue to push
to make this area safe & increase the quality of life. Although what we have been focusing on recently
is clearly not as fun as the kinetic operations, we are reaching a turning point in the fight
where the people are turning to the Government of Iraq for a better way
and we must ensure that they are getting our full support. However, we will not allow our Soldiers
to be lured into a false sense of security. Please know that the leadership will continue to focus
on the enforcement of discipline & standards as the cornerstone of all that we do
so our Soldiers are fully prepared for anything at any time.

Bear 6

Bear 7

I can’t believe another month has passed. We are still working out of Camp Liberty
and commuting to work for 4-10 Cavalry Regiment. I really am amazed how fast time seems to be going
as we are getting close to finishing our fifth month of our fifteen month deployment.
I just want to make sure that everyone is still tracking that we are still slotted for a fifteen month deployment.
I know there are a lot of rumors spreading with leave and LESs dates changing, etc.,
but I just want to assure you I am keeping you informed with the latest information.

There is always the possibility that this deployment could get cut short by a month or two,
but for right now nothing has changed and I think we all need to stay focused
and prepared for this to be a fifteen month deployment. Also to make sure there is no confusion,
there is no new change to our address from what I sent out over a month ago.

The past month the company has had a lot of success in the towns of Jamia, Adl,
Iskhan and Washash, what is now known as AO Bear, as they have been finding several caches,
IEDs, detaining several high value targets through a combination of targeting methods
and making great strides working with a variety of Iraqi Army, Iraqi Police,
Sons of Iraq or concerned local citizen forces as well as the government of Iraq organizations
to include four neighborhood councils. It really is amazing to see not only
the size of the Iraqi Security Forces, but also their capabilities as they are executing, for a large part,
missions totally on their own and are having great success. Our men often partner with them
on joint patrols, but it is impressive to see how they are developing.

Additionally, the neighborhood councils are actually in many areas functioning with
minimal to no assistance from coalition forces. Overall, things are going very well
in our area with attacks at a very low level, although still dangerous at times, but having
a competent Iraqi Security Force is proving to be invaluable in this fight.

You should also have received the update I sent out, that on 6 July
that Specialist Steven Giddings was shot by a sniper. Specialist Giddings is doing fine
back at Darnell Hospital at Fort Hood really due largely to the actions of our outstanding medic
Specialist Richard “Doc” Newton and the quick reaction by his battle buddy
and the other Soldiers that were on site immediately from Corporal John Robinson to
Sergeant David Kinsler and a host of support from second platoon.
Specialist Giddings was quickly evaluated, treated and evacuated to the care he needed.
He was the only one injured and we have taken new steps to mitigate that risk
so we are better prepared if they try that again. Specialist Giddings had many visitors
over the few days that followed. That night 1SG Eric Cameron and I headed to the hospital
and saw him although sedated we spent some time there checking in on him and we were not alone.
LTC Willoughby and CSM Wilson, the 4-10 CAV Squadron Commander
and Command Sergeant Major were both there as well and LTC Elledge and CSM Guden,
the 1-22 Infantry Command Team were also already there. The next day all six of us
were there again, along with COL Hickman, the 2/101 AA Brigade Commander and CSM Schroeder, his CSM.
Specialist Giddings has shown great strength throughout this ordeal as his primary concerns
were always the safety of the rest of the company, getting the sniper and seeing his family.
It is encouraging to see the great photos of the Giddings family together at Fort Hood
and I know the company looks forward to seeing them all soon.

I want to take a minute to congratulate the following Soldiers on their promotions:

• Private First Class Matthew Kukiela toSpecialist
• Private First Class Joshua Hester toSpecialist
• Specialist Rafael Camerana to Sergeant
• Sergeant Brian Patton to Staff Sergeant

I would also like to congratulate SGT Daniel Affalter, SSG Vincent Martinez,
SSG Edward Pangilinan, and SSG Curtis Perry on their decisions to continue their enlistment
in the Army. SGT Martin Strand also was reenlisted this month by General Petraeus
at the largest reenlistment ceremony on record, in one of Saddam’s palaces on Victory Base.
I commend all of them for their continued service in the Army. We thank them and their families
for their continued commitment and sacrifice.

Melissa is still heading the FRG back there and doing a great job keeping me informed
and taking care of business. From all reports she tells me that you all did a great job
supporting Freedom Fest on the 4th of July and had a good time in the process.
I thank you all for contributing what you could to make that day a success.
I also just want to make sure you are all aware that I had nominated Melissa for Volunteer of the Month
a little while ago and at the end of July she will be recognized for her hard work
doing all she does to support the Bear FRG. As always I thank her and I thank you
all for your support of the company while we are deployed.

I would again like to close by saying that I could not be prouder of the Bears.
They continue to set the standard each and every day and are doing a great job
in a really complex environment.
Please continue to keep all of the Bears in your thoughts and prayers.

Snake 6

Snake 7

The summer is here. August is right around the corner and the air conditioners
are running full blast already. Copperhead is continuing to put pressure on the bad guys
with consistent raids and presence patrols. We have been successful with the Soldier’s tireless efforts.
The enemy has shown us limited activity in our area of operations.
The overall priorities of Copperhead have not changed. The suspected bad guys will be captured
and civil-military projects are continuing to be pushed as priority.

As many of you may know already, we’ve received new computers and phones for our internet café.
We have 10 computers and 4 phones. The phone cards are available for a cheap cost
which can be purchased over the internet. Compared to our last internet service,
is faster and clearer. Also, some of the computers have webcams so that you might be able
to see your loved-ones in real-time over the internet. We are also expecting new gym equipment soon.
This will allow Soldiers a little more variety with limited activities on the COP.
The gym is an important source of output for some of the guys and the new gym equipment will increase moral.

SFC Tumey and SSG Demont, from our maintenance platoon, have been nominated for
the Audie Murphy Club. The Audie Murphy Club is a distinguished group of NCO’s
recognized as being among the best NCO’s the Army has to offer.
The process is long and demanding with multiple board selections. We wish them the best of luck.
They are ready and we are sure they will represent Copperhead and 1-22 IN with the upmost distinction.

Projects in our area of operations are continuing to play a key role in our day to day operations.
Projects such as sewage removal and school rehabilitation are just two examples
of many proposed projects. The school rehabilitation projects will allow children a safer environment.
The sewage removal is an important part of keeping families healthy.
Unfortunately they have been living in such a harsh environment for so long; it will be a long process
to make improvements to all problems. We are up to the challenge.

With recent rising temperatures, the company has taken a vote on a possible solution.
A kiddy pool! With just enough room and water available we think it may be possible to set-up
a 2-1/2 foot pool in the corner of our COP. The water might be 100+ degrees pretty quickly,
but we all think it is worth it. If it all works out in the end, expect pictures in the next newsletter.

Thank you for all your support and prayers. We will all be home before you know it.