1st Battalion 22nd Infantry Unit Update August 2008 Page 3

Dealer 6

Dealer 7

The last month has shown Coalition Forces winning the race with time to return a new normalcy
to the population. We are making meaningful progress each day. Over the past month, Team Dealer
has continued to pursue the fractured enemy while renewing our focus on the local economy
and the development of the Iraqi Security Forces. The entire force has recently
been occupied by the Raider Economic Stimulus Package, a program of microgrants
given to infuse cash into the local economy, develop local business, and allow members of the
“Sons of Iraq” to transition into civilian life. The Creek platoon has done an outstanding job
of starting microgrants in the Sunni neighborhood of Kafayat along sectarian fault line.
This area was devastated by the sectarian war and less than 10% of businesses are
currently open. The stabilization of the security situation allowed the entire
“Sons of Iraq” contract in this neighborhood to apply for microgrants
to return to their pre-war businesses rather than continue as a security force.

The White platoon has canvassed the most economically vibrant neighborhood in our Operational Environment,
the Saha Market, with microgrants aimed at increasing the capacity of previously existing businesses.
The Blue platoon has begun processing microgrants for businesses that
have recently reappeared in the Saha Apartments. It was only a month ago that virtually no businesses
were open in this area. The Blue platoon has continued to focus on the training and
professional development of the Bilat Iraqi Police Station. In the past two months,
due to a combination of engagement by Team Dealer and the replacement of the station commander,
the Bilat Iraqi Police Station has transitioned from being considered a nonfunctional station to one
of the better stations in the area conducting community policing and targeted operations.
Blue has transitioned from training basic soldier skills to training the officers on how
to organize and accomplish all the tasks that the Iraqi Police are expected to do in the area.

At the end of last month, Team Dealer was approached for reconciliation by a Special Group Criminal
who was the Squadron #9 High Value Target. He had been a financier of insurgent operations in
the area. His father had suffered a stroke in the days before his reconciliation.
Team Dealer sent our physician’s assistant to assess the man, and to help make him as comfortable
as possible. This act of kindness had motivated him to stop fighting Coalition Forces
and seek reconciliation. The result was that a powerful family in the area that had
previously supported the insurgents abandoned the insurgents, influenced
others to do the same, and helped demilitarize their neighborhood
by turning over caches to Coalition Forces.

With the recent losses of insurgent personnel to Coalition Force arrests, Iraqi Security Forces
arrests, reconciliations, and those who have fled the area, the remainder have become increasingly inactive
and have attempted to blend back into the population. Team Dealer has continued
to actively target the remnants of local insurgent groups to ensure that they are unable to reconstitute
and mount a new offensive. The Creek platoon detained two of the remaining insurgents,
including a previous militia company commander. In the past month, the Creek platoon has found three caches
consisting of rocket-propelled grenade rounds, a tank round, and an anti-personnel IED.

White platoon, while escorting the logistics package, received a local national TIP of and IED cell leader
near the convoy. They immediately dismounted and cleared the target building resulting in the capture
of an IED cell leader and a militia rules enforcer. This IED cell leader had been responsible
for two IEDs found on that same road a few days prior. White also discovered three caches
consisting of over 100 mortar rounds, a mortar tube, IED parts, and 736 gallons
of black market fuel that would have gone to fund insurgent activities. Blue platoon also found a cache
consisting of artillery rounds and body armor.

Keep reading for this month’s update from RED platoon.
Until next month, keep us in your thoughts and prayers, and God Bless.
-DEALER 6

Killer 6

Killer 7

Dear Friends and Family of Killer Company,
CPT Sam Olan and I have successfully and seamlessly swapped jobs.
Sam did a tremendous job here at Jihad and has commanded this company with dignity
and respect for the past two years setting a high standard for me to fall in on.
He is on leave right now spending time with his lovely wife and children. When he returns
he will take over my old job as BDE Engineer. I wish him the best.

First off I want to relay to you all how excited and honored I am to be chosen to command such a fine company.
This is my third tour to Iraq. In OIF I, I was here as a platoon leader leading route clearance patrols,
building bases, and blowing up caches. It was then I knew I wanted to command.
I had to sit through my second tour on division staff coordinating with the ISF.
This tour I came back with the Raider BDE as the BDE Engineer knowing that some time during the tour
I would take command. The day finally came! It was sad to see Sam go but I was ready to
hit the ground running.

On 01AUG the company was standing tall and looking good for the change of command ceremony.
We took 10 minutes to eat some cake, say good bye to CPT Olan
and then it was right back to patrolling Jihad and guarding the JSS.
Sapper and Green platoon have been driving me around our AO showing me all the places
of interest and introducing me to the government and tribal leaders of the area.

This month our focus is on Micro Grants in the market areas of the Muhallas.
The mission is to attempt to improve the local economy by jump starting local businesses.
The platoons have been doing a tremendous job going door to door talking
to the owners, gathering information, andtaking pictures. We have even included the IA into operations
helping us on our quest. We have secured over $80,000 to help the businesses remodel their
store fronts, paint the insides, and buy equipment to improve their businesses.
This is a step forward to bring a normal way of life back to the people of Iraq.

The Soldiers motivation and morale impress me every minute of every day.
You should all be proud of your Soldiers. The jobs they do and missions
they complete at times seem impossible but they get it done. They teach me
something new every day. Every morning I wake up I feel honored to be here.

Again I’d like to say thank you for welcoming me into the Killer Family.
I look forward to meeting and working with you all on our return.
ESSAYONS!!!
KILLER 6

Once again we are nearing another month’s conclusion. The focus for this month
was on stimulating the Iraqi economy and ,as always, our Soldiers exe-cuted superbly.
Their long hours and hard work will greatly enhance the Iraqi’s standard of living.
As always, we have improved our living conditions with major upgrades in our gym equipment,
put tin on the roof of our dining room, and we finally received Armed Forces Network TV
which is in every common area on our camp. As per a sensing session, the Soldiers stated
they appreciate the ability to watch the Olympics and Pre-Season Football
if they are not too tired from missions.

I would like to welcome SSG Wells back to the company from supporting Dog Pound;
he has already proven his talents in the short time he has been on our little
slice of paradise. In addition, Black Sheep had some changes; we would like to wish
SGT Zermeno luck as he returns to C CO, and welcome SSG Reggie, SGT Burress,
SPC Ward, and PV2 Jacobo to Team ECHO. They have adjusted well to the change
and are doing well. I would also like to welcome LT Montes, the new Dog Pound Platoon Leader,
to the company, despite being stuck under the STB.

This was a great month for promotions.
Congratulations to SSG Brooks, SSG Trejo, SGT Delagado, SGT Johnson, SPC Bevins, SPC Farris,
SPC Purdy, SPC Rupp, SPC Stogner, SPC Van Dresser, PFC Collins, and PFC Marshal;
all well deserved advancements!

In closing, I would like to thank you for the support you give to your loved ones and your Country.
God Bless!
Engineers lead the way!
Killer 7

Eliminator 6

Eliminator 7

Family and friends of the ELIMINATORS, it is that time of the month again.
We have completed another month here in Iraq and our Soldiers continue to thrive.
At this stage in the deployment, I’m positively sure that family members are tired
of me preaching about how well our soldiers are performing here in Baghdad.
Therefore, this month’s newsletter will highlight reflections from key leaders of each platoon.
On that note:

Eliminator 36 (2LT Lever) sends:
Hello fellow friends and family Eliminators!
We are nearing the end of summer here in southern Baghdad and (whew!)....let’s just say
we’re all glad that fall is just around the corner. Rest assured, heat and all, your Soldiers here in Iraq
have been supporting the fight and WE ARE WINNING. You all at home should know
that your maintenance Soldiers are definitely part of the reason that we are winning the fight on terrorism
here in Iraq. Whether your Soldier is cranking out work in the motor pool,
guarding the gates around FOB Falcon, or running constant missions, each one of them
is essential to our success in defending our beloved homeland.
Last time we went around to each section in the motor pool to see how maintenance operations
are accomplished on a daily basis. This time we are going to take a look at our soldiers that
run dangerous Combat Logistics Patrol missions several times a week. Now as dangerous
as they may be, your soldiers are the best trained and highly motivated individuals that the Army has to offer.
To accomplish these missions, we have some of the latest up-armored protection
and technology the Department of Defense can provide. Our job here at maintenance is to escort
the distribution supply trucks to various locations in our Area of Operations (AO).
Each Soldier has a specific job on these critical missions. He or she may be the gunner
for one of our fearsome crew-served weapons, a skilled driver on the Mine Resistant Ambush Protected
truck (MRAP), a Truck Commander (TC) commanding the vehicle, or a dismount
in the back of the MRAP to support anyone of these Soldiers at any time on the mission.
We are a tight knit group and are extremely proud to run the CLP operations.
Well, we hope this gives you all back home some insight as to what we’ve been up to
half a world away. Until next time, God Bless you all.

Eliminator 17 (SFC Jones) sends:
To our family and friends of Headquarters Platoon, Greetings from FOB Falcon Iraq.
Our Soldiers have been working hard each and every day. Our soldiers not only do the job
that they agreed to do for the military, but help out with the Company mission
of supporting the Battalion, be it going on convoys, pulling tower guard, radio monitoring,
or providing food for the Soldiers of the Battalion. The great Americans
in Headquarters Platoon continue to meet each challenge head on. We have had several of our Soldiers
recently promoted, PFC Michael Collins was promoted from PV2, and SPC Theresa Vanross was
promoted from PFC. Several of our Soldiers received the drivers’ badge; SPC Jennifer Clemons,
SPC Nikita McCall, SPC Thomas Hamic, and SGT Latavian Phipps.
Congratulations to all the Soldiers who received awards or were promoted.
We are about 160 days into the deployment and the Soldiers morale has never been higher,
thanks to the support from family and friends. For families of recently returned Solders,
thank you for ensuring their leave was fruitful and safe. For the families still waiting
to see their loved ones, do not fret as they will be on leave soon. You are the unsung heroes
that keep our Soldiers going. Your support and kind words make the time here more bearable.
From the bottom of my heart, thank you for your support of our Soldiers.

Eliminator 26 (CPT Kalaher) sends:
During the past month, Distribution Platoon has continued to excel in the performance
of every task that they have been given. We average 3-4 combat logistics patrols per week,
delivering all classes of supply to over 900 Soldiers out in sector. Due to the highly effective
logistics system that we have helped emplace, we are now focusing our efforts
to make things more like home for our brothers and sisters living in a Combat Outpost (COP)
or Joint Security Station (JSS). Distro, in conjunction with both Maintenance and Headquarters Soldiers,
are doing their best to deliver gym equipment, televisions, ping-pong tables, etc.,
to improve the morale. We know things are going well when we’re delivering this kind of stuff
to the “Regulars”! Make no mistake, we are doing our best to continue the development of
the junior leaders in this platoon. Every day, SFC Garcia continues to groom his
Staff Sergeants and Sergeants to excel as they progress through the ranks.
His decentralized leadership style has proven highly effective. SFC G has let back on the reins
a little bit, to allow the younger guys to grow and become stronger leaders. It’s definitely working
as our E-5s and E-6s are some of the best I’ve worked with and are able to accomplish any task that we give them.
They make my job incredibly easy. I simply do my best to stay out of the way
and not interfere with the Platoon’s daily operations.

As always, please continue to pray for us and show your support and we will do the same.
“SAME TEAM, SAME
FIGHT”…..Eliminator 6 out!