1st Battalion 22nd Infantry Update 8-15-06 Page 1

1st Battalion 22nd Infantry

Unit Updates
2006

1-22 BN CO, CSM, HHC, Chaplain

August 15, 2006

FROM THE COMMANDER

Hello again from western Baghdad! Another month has passed and we are one month closer to coming home.
This past month has been characterized by one of the two constants that have characterized our deployment – change.
When I last wrote, I was fairly certain that we were going to be able to finish our deployment
serving as part of 1^st Brigade, 4^th Infantry Division and with all seven of our companies from Fort Hood back together.
That all changed again this past month.

We are now serving as part of 2^nd Brigade of the 1^st Armored Division.
They are the force that was called forward from Kuwait to help the Division quell the growing unrest in Baghdad.
Unfortunately, we have had to detach Team Bear – consisting of two infantry platoons from B CO
and a tank platoon from C CO. They are now serving with 2^nd Battalion, 502^nd Infantry of the 2^nd Brigade,
101^st Airborne Division (Air Assault). Geographically, they remain close to us but our Soldiers in Team Bear
have now moved to Camp Striker. Because of their proximity, there is no need to change mail addresses
because they can easily receive their mail through the battalion.

C Company has continued to support the security efforts of the infamous Abu Ghraib Internment Facility
and will soon be paroled from that location to begin offensive combat operations. The facility will be turned over
to the Iraqi government as part of the continuing process of returning control of all parts of the society to the Iraqis.
Captain Ed Kennedy assumed command of C Company last month and he has made an immediate and positive impact
on the unit. Ed comes to us from 1^st Battalion, 66^th Armor Regiment and is a great young leader
who I have already developed a great deal of faith and confidence in.

We are also now fortunate to have some new teammates. C Battery of 4^th Battalion, 27^th Field Artillery Regiment
has been attached to our battalion and they have quickly integrated themselves into what we are doing.
This battery of professional artilleryman has been in theater for nearly 10 months
and we look forward to being able to serve our remaining time here with them.

The second constant is that our Soldiers continue to serve exceptionally well and are truly making a difference
everywhere we go. They continue to improve the security in a volatile part of Iraq
and have continually shown the Iraqi people hope for their future. Among many recent accomplishments,
we have begun joint patrols with the Iraqi Police force in the Abu Ghraib area and are working to integrate them
into the daily lives of Iraqi citizens. The Iraqis welcome their presence and like to see Iraqis helping secure their own country.
We have also continued our partnership with the 3^rd Brigade of the 6^th Iraqi Army Division
and they continue to improve their warfighting capabilities.
We have recently conducted some highly successful missions together and they have shown marked improvements
each time in the professionalism and their abilities.

I want each of you to understand that I truly believe that no Soldier is more important than anyone else in our battalion.
Although infantryman and armor crewmen frequently receive the attention for capturing insurgents
or destroying caches of enemy weapons, it takes all of our Soldiers – now numbering over 1000 – to ensure our success.
The intelligence analysts, supply sergeants, communications specialists, drivers, mechanics, and cooks –
among countless others – are all critical to our success and we would fail without every one of them.
Each one of them has my undying gratitude and my eternal thanks for what they continue to do each day
in support of each other, our unit, the nation, and the Iraqi people.

If you have any concerns or issues during the coming month, 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 as well.

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.

Regulars, by God! Deeds, Not Words.

—Lieutenant Colonel Craig A. Osborne (Regular 6)

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FROM THE COMMAND SERGEANT MAJOR

Hello Folks,

Its mid-August and it hot here – really hot. We’re eight months into this deployment,
which puts us at two-thirds complete with our tour of duty. The time is flying by and won’t be too much longer
until we begin planning and preparing for our return to Fort Hood.

This brings me to my next subject – our return to Fort Hood. The Soldiers were recently presented with three options
to choose from concerning their assignments upon our return. In a nutshell, each Soldier must decide to:

a. Stay with 1^st Brigade.

b. Move to another brigade in the division – perhaps one that is moving to Fort Carson, CO.

c. Leave the division for other assignments or scheduled schools.

There are many factors which effect decisions concerning these choices.
If a Soldier is scheduled to ETS within the next year, then his only choice is to stay with 1^st Brigade.
First Brigade is not scheduled to move to Fort Carson, CO until sometime in 2009
so if staying on Fort Hood is your preferred choice, then option number one is your best bet.

For those Soldiers who desire a change in pace from 1^st Brigade but want to stay with the 4^th Infantry Division,
then perhaps option 2 is your best choice. This one affords the Soldier the opportunity
to move to one of the brigades schedule to begin movement to Fort Carson but also to stay with the division.

Some of our Soldiers have recently reenlisted for follow-on assignments at other locations,
and for them the decision is already made. If there are Soldiers who desire a PCS move from Fort Hood
and the 4^th Infantry Division, they can request a Permanent Change of Station (PCS) move by choosing option 3.
This is not a guarantee that they will get a PCS move, nor the unit or installation they request.
The division and Human Resources Command at Department of the Army (DA) will make the final decisions
based on needs of the unit and mission requirements.

And that statement of fact goes for all of the choices – the deciding factor will be based on needs of the division
and the Army. Not everyone who asks to leave will be allowed to leave;
not everyone who asks to stay will be allowed to stay. That’s a fact.

The Soldiers have been briefed on these options and will be asked to make a decision within the next few days.
Hopefully, all of our Soldiers have had an opportunity to include their spouses back home in on the decision process.

We continue to make great progress here. The battalion is completely gainfully and employed in several areas
around the Baghdad International Airport area and working extremely hard under some very austere conditions.
Keep them in your prayers and we anxiously look forward to our redeployment.
Thanks to all of you back home who keep our homes and lives in order back there –
we couldn’t do what we do here without what you do for us back home. Until next month…

Regulars by God!

- Command Sergeant Major Richard Beal (Regular 7)

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HEADQUARTERS AND HEADQUARTERS COMPANY – HAMMER

Hello to the Hammer and Regular Families!

Another month has passed and we are well into the second half of the deployment year.
Thank you for your continued support as we look forward to our eventual return to the United States.
We are working hard to maintain the combat focus that has ensured our safety and success over the past eight months.

The temperatures continue to rise – we are well over 110 degrees each day.
Thankfully, just as all of you have become accustomed to the high temperatures there,
we too have grown accustomed to the extreme temperatures here.
We just adapt and continue to work hard with a few extra precautions.

This past month we promoted Corporal Michael Petty to Sergeant and Private First Class Patrick Blue to Specialist.
Private First Class Christopher Bussaeus celebrated his 19^th birthday on July 16^th and Private Chad Gooding
celebrated his 28^th birthday on July 26^th. Heather Crawford – wife of Private First Class Benjamin Crawford –
also celebrated her birthday on July 30^th. Congratulations to these individuals and any others
who enjoyed a significant event in the past month.

We are currently attempting to decipher the options each Soldier will have as it applies to staying in
or leaving the 4^th Infantry Division upon our return to Ft. Hood. I am sure a lot of families will experience
some degree of anxiety as you make your preferences but don’t know for sure of the outcome.
Please be confident in the fact that if your Soldier makes his preference known,
every effort will be made to accommodate that request.

I wish all of you a safe and exciting summer. Thank you for taking care of matters at home
that are difficult to control from here. We are getting closer and more anxious to come home.
Have a great August!

God Bless You,

—Captain Troy Parrish (Hammer 6)

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FROM THE CHAPLAIN

As your loved ones approach me, I remind them about their attitudes towards our current circumstances
and I have begun asking them the question, “What is the most important thing in your life?”

They have usually responded that family is most important to them and this is likely true for you as well.
Our values do not change simply because our circumstances do! For the Soldiers here, I remind them
that the important value of family does not need to be set aside for mission. We can creatively figure out ways
to stay emotionally connected with those we love while being here. This helps decrease the friction
created by geographic separation and helps maintain an important link so we do not have to continually struggle.
The value of “family” is still honored, but we just need to do it in a different way while deployed.
How can we maintain those important things when circumstances are beyond our control?
We can do this by remembering the reasons why our family is important
and making the most of our current circumstances. Since your loved one is in Iraq,
it is important to send him or her cards, flowers, care packages, etc. so your loved one knows you care.

I know that the separation has not been easy but the good news is that your Soldier here thinks of you
and values you highly. They are focused on the mission here which helps ensure your security
while you are doing a fantastic job at taking care of the home front. We are really working on the same thing
from different angles when we realize why we are doing what we do –
it helps us approach change with gusto and not with grief.

Again, what is the most important thing in your life?
Remember that each passing day brings us one day closer to being together again.

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. Change our attitudes and perspective to help us through the hard times we face.
In the Holy Name of Jesus the Christ. Amen!”

—Chaplain (Captain) John Hill

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