1st Battalion 22nd Infantry

 

Unit Updates
2006

 

D Company, E Company, E Company (4th SPT BN)

August 15, 2006

 

 

D COMPANY – DEATH DEALER

Greetings all from sunny Iraq…

     The Dealers are, once again, one month closer to coming home to our families and friends.
  And, believe me, the Soldiers know it… many of them religiously keep track of the number of days
until the projected date when they can come home to see you all.   You are always in the backs of their minds
and in many of their conversations as they continue to conduct their daily missions.

     We experienced some changes this month as plans changed in response to the security in neighboring Baghdad.
  Our initial plan to move back to Camp Liberty from Patrol Base Courage was changed
while we were conducting the move and we are going to remain at the patrol base for the foreseeable future.
  Through it all, our Soldiers toughed it out and continued the fight.   While all the Soldiers know that living conditions here
do not compare with Camp Liberty, we know that everyone is trying to make our lives better
by improving the living conditions present.   And everyone is also motivated by being one month closer to coming home.

     The last minute change in plans also changed the area that the company is responsible for.
  Our new area is new to us – but not to the other companies in the battalion.  
We would like to thank the Gators and the Bears for their help in showing us what they have learned thus far
so we can build on their information rather than start from scratch.

     This month, we welcomed several new people to the Dealer family.  
We received a new NCO, Sergeant Jason Daniels, who came to us from the 1st Infantry Division at Fort Riley, Kansas.
  We also welcome his wife of 9 years, Maria, and their four year-old son, Quaelan, who will be staying in Killeen.
  We got good news that Sergeant Timothy Lyon – our maintenance team chief – and his wife, Krystin,
had their third child this past month.   Sergeant Lyon was able to head home on R&R just in time
to see the birth of his daughter, Alexi.   We welcome both the entire Daniels family and Alexi Lyon to the team.

     We would like to send a special thank you to all of you who continue to stand behind and support us.  
Our prayers will be with you.

     Deeds, Not Words!

    —Captain Joshua Michaels (Dealer 5)

 

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E COMPANY – KILLER

From the Commander…

Dear Friends and Family,

     I hope this letter finds you all well and that you are enjoying a toasty August in Texas.  
As we near the end of my first full month in command, I remain in awe of the daily contributions your loved ones make
to the military mission and the equally important task of taking care of each other.   July was a long, hot month
where we began to operate in the aftermath of June’s many changes.   While undertaking two completely new missions
in a new area of operations and learning to work with a new commander, the Killers proved again – in grand fashion –
that they are among the best prepared and most consistent Soldiers in the Army.

     The beginning of July brought with it the responsibility to conduct Improvised Explosive Device (IED)
clearance operations across the battalion’s area.   As part of a rotating schedule, Sapper platoon was first
to undertake the “Ironclaw” mission and they performed magnificently.
The Sappers quickly applied the many lessons learned from our relief of the 1st Brigade, 10th Mountain Division Engineers.
The attention to detail and extra effort it took to learn to operate many new pieces of equipment paid off
as the Killers launched a successful campaign to keep IEDs off of the roads
and allow our battalion’s Soldiers to maneuver freely.

     While Sapper was busy hunting IEDs, Dogpound turned its attention to supporting
the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) teams in destroying IEDs and detonating caches of enemy munitions and equipment.
  Under Dogpound’s watchful eye, two EOD teams destroyed dozens of IEDs
and helped keep our Soldiers safe in their missions.

     The Headquarters boys turned out a wonderful effort to keep the company running smoothly and,
as always, cover down where needed to accomplish the company’s many disparate tasks.
With Soldiers tasked out to many different missions, the headquarters troopers conducted convoy operations,
security for digging assets, and escorts for battalion assets across the battle space.
All of the Killers contributed greatly to our successes this past month
and all are helping to keep each other’s spirits up during the long and hot months.

    As always, I pray for your safety and well being as well as that of our beloved Soldiers.  
Please continue to support your loved ones as they continue to serve with courageous professionalism
and I promise that I will continue to do everything in my power to accomplish our mission
while ensuring the safety and welfare of those you hold dear.

     God bless!

     —Captain Sam Olan (Killer 6)

......................

From the First Sergeant…

Friends and Family,

     July was a great month for the Killers. After a busy June full of movements, changes of command
and taking over a whole new area, the Killers launched into a busy July with operations in Western Baghdad.  
The Soldiers worked very hard and performed all duties very well, making us proud.

     This past month was also a month full of promotions and reenlistments as our Soldiers stepped up
to stay with the Army and take on more responsibility as new Non-Commissioned Officers (NCOs).  
Sergeant Franklin Myers and Specialist Willard Peterson reenlisted to continue their careers and support the nation. 
Specialist Mike Peugh became the company’s newest Specialist while we pinned sergeant stripes on three new NCOs –
Sergeant Bobby Brown, Sergeant Aileron Rdiall, and Sergeant Robert Stevenson.  
Both the company and the Army will be better for the continued contributions of these wonderful Soldiers.

    We continue to send Soldiers home on leave, and I hope that each family is enjoying the time spent with their loved ones.
  Please continue to support the Soldiers with letters and packages – they make a Soldier’s week.  
Take care and God Bless!

      —First Sergeant Willie Hogan (Killer 7)

 

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E COMPANY/4TH SUPPORT BATTALION – ELIMINATOR

     As we close out July, it is hard to imagine that we have completed seven months in this deployment.  
Time is passing by quickly as we all anxiously wait being back at home with our friends and family.
  I am incredibly proud of the efforts that our Soldiers continually give to our mission everyday.

     We’ve been given the honor to reenlist seven Soldiers in the last 30 days
who all know the sacrifices they make everyday to keep our country free.  Congratulations and thanks
go to the following for making the commitment to continue to serve our great country:

·          Specialist Marcus Cain

·          Specialist Rafael Camarena

·          Specialist Andrew Cook

·          Specialist Robert Green

·          Specialist Roger Peterson

·          Private First Class Crystal Gardner

·          Private First Class Tucker Tracy

 

     There is nothing I enjoy more about being a commander than promoting Soldiers.  
Congratulations to the following Soldiers who have been promoted in the last 30 days:

     Although I’m sure our Soldiers would like to spend their birthdays with you all,
we continue to celebrate birthdays each month.   Happy Birthday to the following Soldiers:

 

     Our Headquarters platoon has been incredibly busy over the past month.
  Sergeant First Class Howard and his Soldiers continue to impress me with their drive
to provide the best possible meals to the Task Force.   Not only are they doing their part in the Dining Facility,
but they are cooking meals out at Patrol Base Courage.   This is no minimal task as the temperature continues to rise
and the conditions in the Containerized Kitchen only add to the heat.  
Their positive attitudes and high morale contribute to the battalion daily.

     The Distribution platoon has once again exceeded all standards and expectations.  
First Lieutenant Harry Mars and Staff Sergeant Brian Denning have trained their Soldiers to be able to take on the role
of an entire Support Battalion with a platoon-sized element.   The efforts of this platoon were pivotal in the transition
as we moved to yet another brigade’s control.   The Task Force is better each day due to the determination of these Soldiers.

     The “Regulars” battalion could not have been nearly as successful without the untiring efforts of the maintenance platoon.
  The extreme heat is starting to wear on our vehicles and other necessary systems.
  Each day our mechanics work extremely hard to ensure that each company in the battalion
continues to roll and can focus on their mission as we maintain their equipment.

     —Captain Jennifer McDonough (Eliminator 6)

 

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