1st Battalion 22nd Infantry Update 7-15-06 Page 1

Hello from western Baghdad! Another month has passed and we are one month closer to coming home.
These past four weeks have been filled with a significant amount of change – and it only reinforces the notion
that no two days are alike in Iraq. Just a little over four weeks ago, we were in southern Baghdad
and working for 2^nd Brigade of the 101^st Airborne Division (Air Assault). Since then, we have packed everything up,
moved to CAMP LIBERTY, repositioned forces to forward-based locations,
conducted a Relief in Place/Transfer of Authority (RIP/TOA), and once again resumed continuous operations in a new area –
now working for 1^st Brigade of the 4^th Infantry Division.

Geographically, our new area of operations is similar in size to the area we left in southern Baghdad
but we have more combat power available to us now. We are fortunate to have the entire battalion of seven companies
back together and functioning as one unit and we have added A Battery, 4^th Battalion, 42^nd Field Artillery Regiment
and A Company, 412^th Civil Affairs Battalion to our task organization. With nine company-sized units in our task force
as well as numerous smaller-sized enablers, our unit is a formidable fighting force of nearly 1000 Soldiers.
The enemy has not recently seen the presence of tanks, Bradleys, and other armored vehicles in this area
and they clearly realize there is a fearsome force actively searching for them.

Our vigilant patrolling, aggressive operations, and engagements with all segments of the population
have led to clear tactical successes, an immediate rapport with the people, and a foothold into ensuring
the local government structures become functional to take care of the basic needs of the Iraqi people.
Iraqi citizens are already beginning to see us as friends with a desire to help them improve their lives.
That trust is not borne from political decisions in Baghdad, but rather through the interactions with each of our Soldiers.

During the RIP/TOA, we were able to spend some great times with our brethren from the 2^nd Battalion,
22^nd Infantry Regiment. We patrolled together, met local leaders with them, and learned the battlespace with their assistance.
Their willingness to share what they have learned throughout their deployment will allow us
to immediately continue operations without giving the enemy any respite. I thank them for all that they have done
while deployed and in support of us and I wish them only the best as they return to Fort Drum, NY and their loved ones there.

We have also had some significant changes in the leadership of the battalion.
Major Matt Fath has arrived and assumed duties as our Battalion Operations Officer.
He immediately stepped in to his new role and begun making a positive difference on the first day.
He and his wife Karrie come to us from the Division staff and his experience there will be of great assistance
to us in the future. Of note, Major Fath was a company commander in the Regulars a few years ago when he was Gator 6.

Two companies within the battalion have had changes of command since the last newsletter as well.
On July 1^st, Captain Sam Olan assumed command of E Company from Captain Patsky Gomez.
Fortunately, we will be able to keep Captain Gomez within the battalion for the rest of the deployment
and he has already begun work training our partnered Iraqi Army unit – the 3^rd Brigade of the 6^th Iraqi Division.
Additionally, during the afternoon of July 15^th, Captain Craig Childs relinquished command
of Headquarters and Headquarters Company to Captain Troy Parrish.
Like Captain Gomez, we are able to keep Captain Childs with us for the remainder of the deployment
and he will immediately begin working in the Operations Section of the battalion staff.
I want to personally thank both Patsky and Craig for their leadership – especially while deployed
in support of OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM. Their commitment to our Soldiers and to achieving excellence
has been critical to the many successes that we have achieved.

The rapid pace of combat operations has begun again and you may not be hearing as much from your loved ones
as you did for the past month. Five of our companies – A Company, B Company, C Company, D Company,
and A Battery – are living in less developed locations so their ability to contact you may be diminished
if you have had daily contact with them before. Please understand that although their conditions are more Spartan
than anyone would choose, their presence at forward-based patrol bases and other locations
are critical to our success in this fight.

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.
The Brigade’s Rear Detachment phone number can be found on the last page of this newsletter.
Captain Litherland 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 continue to take care of the home front and we would also fail without them.
They have my undying gratitude.

The Regulars continue to set the standard in Iraq and I am extremely proud of each one of our Soldiers.
We are truly making a difference and living by our motto of “Deeds, Not Words.”
Through it all, 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.

Our move to CAMP LIBERTY is complete. Our Soldiers moved in to the facilities here
and many quickly moved out to their new bases of operation forward in our battlespace.
We completed all tasks associated with Relief in Place/Transfer of Authority (RIP/TOA) with the outgoing unit
on CAMP LIBERTY – the 2^nd Battalion, 22^nd Infantry from the 10^th Mountain Division.
They were superb hosts to us as we made the transition up here from FOB FALCON and we are indebted to them
for their professionalism and assistance. The “Triple Deuce” provided us the historical perspectives on our new area
necessary for this smooth transition and we feel confident that we will continue working the area aggressively
and helping the people of this new area. We wish the “Triple Deuce” great success in the future
and a smooth trip back home to Fort Drum.

Prior to their departure, we conducted a brief ceremony honoring the transition of battlespace between our two battalions.
This was a historic occasion as it has been since Vietnam since two of the regiment’s battalions have worked
under the same colors in the same area of operations. We were honored to have Mr. Bob Rush,
honorary Command Sergeant Major of the 22^nd Regiment, attend the ceremony
and his presence was appreciated and welcomed by all.

As I write this message, the Soldiers of this great unit are doing well and continue to perform their missions
with personal dedication and pride. It is truly an honor to be part of this great unit as we continue to serve our Nation
during this most critical time in history. The Soldiers have adapted extremely well to their new environment
and new areas of operation. Their presence on the battlefield is beginning to be known in this new area
as they quickly resumed their steady pace of operations after a brief respite during the RIP/TOA period.
We are quickly learning the people, their leaders, and their issues in order to provide the proper assistance
to the points that need our most immediate attention.

As we wrap up our seventh month in theater, I again offer words of thanks to all of the families and friends
back home in the United States. A special note of thanks goes out to Mrs. Evelyn Bartoszek
and the citizens in the Largo – St. Pete Beach, Florida area. 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.

Hammer Company is now fully operating in the battalion’s new area – western Baghdad.
The company is spread out more than ever with each section providing its own expertise
to help the other companies accomplish the mission. Some Soldiers live at CAMP LIBERTY –
the largest base in our area. Others live at the Abu Ghraib Internment Facility,
allowing them to more rapidly project combat power into the western portion of our area.
Some live at PATROL BASE COURAGE – a small but very secure patrol base in our northern sector.
And finally a few Hammers live at FOB CONSTITUTION as they train and advise our Iraqi Army counterparts.

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. The PSD continues to safely secure the battalion commander
as he conducts reconnaissance of our new area of operations. Our scouts and snipers attached to A and B Companies
are currently assisting the Gators and Bears as they conduct area reconnaissance to further develop the enemy situation
in their respective areas. Both our scouts and snipers are highly regarded for their abilities to remain undetected
as they collect intelligence for future use.

The Mortar Platoon is split into two locations. One section provides responsive indirect fires
in support of the Abu Ghraib defense plan – a very important mission as Abu Ghraib is a national-level, strategic target.
Captain Scott Wybro and his men have put everyone’s mind at ease with their quick response times
for counterfire missions. The other half of the mortars are working for B Company and providing fixed site security
at a power plant that supplies western Baghdad with electricity – another site of strategic importance.

The Medical Platoon continues to excel at treating combat casualties and various non-battle related injuries.
Our medics are true professionals and we rely on them daily to keep our unit in the fight.

The Battalion Fire Supporters continue to provide indirect fires, information operations, and targeting.
The FECC section that operates out of CAMP LIBERTY conducts lethal and non-lethal targeting
and Information Operations for the battalion and the FECC section at Abu Ghraib conducts both counterfire operations
and area denial fires in support of the base defense plan. The Bradley Fire Support Teams continue to provide targeting
and effects based operations in support of their respective companies.

The Command Group, Staff, and Headquarters Section supervised the momentous task
of consolidating the entire task force, conducting a simultaneous relief in place with four different units,
and conducting area reconnaissance to better understand the people, terrain, and the enemy in our new area of operations.

Congratulations to the following Soldiers who were recently promoted:

First Lieutenant Scott Wybro to Captain (Mortars)
Second Lieutenant Matthew Parsons to First Lieutenant (FECC)
Second Lieutenant Jamar White to First Lieutenant (FECC)
Specialist Russell Jowell to Corporal (S3)
Private Second Class Andrew Dawson to Private First Class (Scouts)

Additionally, Specialist Brian Suitt of the Medics recently passed the Sergeant’s Promotion Board.
Our admiration and thanks go to Specialist Rafael Delgado of the Medics for reenlisting and for his continued
dedicated service to and support of our nation. Congratulations are also in order to Specialist Charles Dorsey
and his wife Christi who celebrated their anniversary on June 30^th.

I will relinquish command of Headquarters and Headquarters Company to Captain Troy Parrish –
formerly the commander of A Company – on July 15^th. I count my time as the HHC Commander
as the most demanding, yet rewarding, period of my career. Your Soldiers have been a joy to command.
The great successes of this company are not mine to brag about, but they belong to your Soldiers.
I also thank you – the families and friends of these fine men – for you support.
Kim, the boys, and I have enjoyed getting to know you all and count ourselves blessed for having been in your company.
Kim will continue to be the FRG leader until we move away from Fort Hood sometime after the deployment
or until a new volunteer is identified by Captain Parrish.

Summer brings with it change. Many of you have already gone on vacations – perhaps some are still pending –
and others are beginning summer activities with ACS, CYS, etc. It is important that you continue to live life
during this mark of the deployment. Working toward goals and anticipating adventures help keep our minds focused.

Our children need to know the security and predictability of a fun summer vacation and/or activities
where they can download from the rigors of the school year. (These also help give the parent a much needed rest.)
Creating and maintaining a summer plan will also provide a much needed “diversion” for the family
as your loved one is over here. Right now, some of you may be experiencing a great deal of stress
and you might be trying to figure out how to cope with all that overwhelms you.
If we cannot change your circumstances – then we must do everything you can to change our attitudes.
The following are some strategies for coping with stress:

Please allow me to pray for you right now. “Almighty God, you know the struggles, trials, triumphs and joys
we have all experienced during this deployment. You are the God who makes a way when there seems to be no way.
Right now, I ask that you would wrap your loving, tender, compassionate arms around our families and loved ones.
Keep them in your constant care and quicken our hearts and minds each day with the reality
that YOU are taking good care of them. May you grant exactly what we need to sustain us
throughout the rest of this separation. In the Holy Name, AMEN!”