1st Battalion 22nd Infantry Iraq Update 9-15-2006 Page 2

I hope this letter finds all the families and friends of A Company well.
Time is beginning to pass very quickly for us here in Western Baghdad
and we find ourselves one month closer to redeployment. The operational tempo remains very high
as we further refine intelligence on the insurgent targets and activities in our area.
Over the last month, each platoon has played an integral role in significantly disrupting the insurgency in our area.
The company has been responsible for the detention of 15 known insurgents –
two of which being 4^th Infantry Division High Value Targets – and has found over 20 enemy weapons caches.

Of particular note is the performance of the Scout Platoon.
Their hard work proved instrumental to our success
as they were responsible for the detention of seven known insurgents
and identification and subsequent destruction of four weapons caches
consisting of Surface to Air missiles (SAMs), various enemy videotapes,
and large quantities of IED making material.
Third Platoon and Second Platoon (Tank) were each responsible
for successfully executing raids on emerging targets
and detaining the two division-level targets.
Third Platoon detained three Battalion level targets as well.
Second Platoon (Infantry) found eight weapons caches
over the last month – by far more than any other platoon in the battalion –
and their actions significantly disrupted enemy operations.

I again had the honor of promoting a number of our Soldiers this month.
This is always a positive event as they are formally recognized by the Army for their outstanding service
and their demonstrated potential for increased responsibility. We in A Company certainly look forward
to seeing these young Soldiers progress through the ranks of the Army.
The following Soldiers were promoted this past month:

On a much sadder note, I regret to inform you of the recent loss of Sergeant Luis Montes on September 7^th.
He, along with two other Soldiers from the Scout Platoon, was involved in an IED strike
while executing combat operations on September 1, 2006. All three were evacuated to Brooke Army Medical Center
(BAMC) in San Antonio, TX. Sergeant Montes passed away on 7 September from organ failure
due to overwhelming burns from the blast. Specialist Ricky Yarosh will remain in critical condition for the next few months
while recovering at BAMC. Private First Class Andrew Loe is doing the best of the three but will need some time
to fully recover. I ask that you keep these Soldiers and their families in your thoughts and prayers.
Sergeant Montes’ sacrifice will never be forgotten by the men of this company and I take great comfort in the fact
that his great leadership traits will be carried on by his Soldiers when they become leaders
and will continue to make the Army a better place.

Please know that the loss of Sergeant Montes only strengthens our resolve and commitment
to defeating the insurgency in our respective area. This company, although a conglomeration of different platoons,
is one team and is fully committed supporting each other – no matter what the circumstances.
Together, we will remain focused and leave this area a more safe and secure environment than we received it.

This has been an exciting month for B Company as we reach the ninth month of our deployment.
Even though we have portions of the company located in various areas, we are still united
and frequently communicate with each other. I hope that this letter finds you well
as we start to approach the final months of our deployment.

First I would like to start off with a message to Captain Weber.
Bear 6 has finally gone home on leave and the company wishes him a relaxing and well-deserved vacation.
Currently First Platoon is still operating in the Abu Ghraib area and making a significant contribution to the safety of the area.
This accomplishment is a testament to Second Lieutenant Chris Tsao
and Staff Sergeant (Promotable) Timothy Jones, as well as the men of First Platoon.

The remainder of the company as well as First Platoon from C Company is still operating
alongside the 101^st Airborne Division (Air Assault). We are charged with a key role
in enabling 2^nd Brigade of the 101^st to continue the mission of making Iraq safer for everyone.
With each day that passes our area becomes safer and the people of Iraq can sleep easier at night.

Congratulations are in order to the following Soldier’s who received promotions due to their dedication to duty and hard-work.

B Company would also like to welcome the newest editions to the Bear family.
Second Lieutenant Johnny Craver is the new Platoon Leader for Second Platoon
while Staff Sergeant (Promotable) Reginald Porcher also comes to Second Platoon
to assume the responsibilities of Platoon Sergeant. We know that both of these men are capable leaders
and that the platoon will be passed off in good hands.

First Lieutenant Greg Elko was recently promoted to Captain and transitioned to the Battalion Staff
to help facilitate operations as the Task Force Engineer. Sergeant First Class Fernando Perez
also went to Battalion to contribute further assistance with the intricacies of operations.

I have left Second Platoon after being the Platoon Leader for 15 months.
I will miss the platoon, but will remain in the company as the Executive Officer.
In this position, I will be able to help contribute to the entire company and continue to support the men of B Company.

The end is finally in sight. We have come a long way through this deployment and it has been a difficult one;
however, we still have three months to go before we can return home to our loved ones.
The men of B Company will continue to be vigilant on their watch, but it is our loved ones back home that comfort us.
Without the wives, sons, daughters, brothers, sisters or parents our deployment would be even more difficult.
I know that each one of us takes the few moments of quiet time we receive to reflect on our loved ones back home.
Even though we cannot afford to allow our minds to wander…you are always near and dear in our hearts.
We thank you for your love and support, which means more to us than we could ever tell you.
The true heroes of this deployment are those of you back home anxiously awaiting our safe return.

I ask that each of you continue your thoughts and prayers for your loved ones.
While the separation has been difficult for all, we are making a difference and fighting for a greater good.

On September 1^st, C Company was a part of history being one of the last US forces
to occupy and secure the Abu Ghraib Internment Facility and we officially handed over the responsibilities
to the Iraqi Government. You should take great pride in the professional manner the Soldiers of Copperhead
handed over security for this facility to the Iraqi Army. The company successfully defended this national-level,
strategic target from all potential attacks and we are now all back at Camp Liberty and Camp Striker.
First Platoon has been temporarily attached to Team B, who is currently working in the company’s old area
southwest of Camp Liberty. Life on Camp Striker is a little more comfortable than it was before.
Additionally, we have been blessed with the increased combat power of the Mortar Platoon,
a Stryker platoon and a section of snipers.

During the final relief in place of Abu Ghraib, we received an additional squad of combat power
to fill the gap as A Battery, 4^th Battalion, 42^nd Field Artillery Regiment returned to Taji.
The squad we received from C Battery, 4^th Battalion, 27^th Field Artillery Regiment did an outstanding job
and helped us accomplish the mission. We thank them for all their help and wish them luck
as they continue to do a great job for the Regulars.

This month we also received two additional platoons of combat power to offset the detachment of First Platoon
to Team B. The attachment of the Mortar Platoon has greatly enhanced our company’s ability
to execute full spectrum operations due their veteran experience in the area we have assumed
and their ability to accomplish any mission. Additionally, we would like to welcome 2^nd Platoon, A Company,
1^st Battalion, 23^rd Infantry (Stryker) as our fourth platoon of combat power. Their increase to the combat power
of the company is immeasurable, as they are an outstanding group of individuals that clearly have come together well
and formed a great team – they have truly been an asset to Copperhead.
Additionally, I could not be happier for the attachment of the sniper team under Staff Sergeant Danny Harris.
They are an excellent group of disciplined Soldiers that provide an absolutely critical capability
to our area of operations and are going to have an immediate impact on our success.

First Platoon is currently attached to Team B, but they are not that far away.
The platoon has been very happy to get back on their tanks after their distinguished time
in the guard towers of Abu Ghraib. Rotating 24 hours on, 24 hours off can be a little tough in this heat,
but the Soldiers of the mighty First Platoon are making the best of it and doing a great job for our sister company.
We look forward to getting them back once they complete their mission.

While First Platoon is off securing the south in their tanks,
the rest of the company has jumped headfirst into our new area and we are riding around in our up-armored HMMWVs.
For most of the month, Third Platoon continued to secure the southwest corner of Abu Ghraib
with a section from Third Platoon and a section from Second Platoon, but they are now both back at Camp Liberty
executing combat patrols daily. The area we are operating in is actually close to Abu Ghraib,
but extends much farther than we have had in the past. The patrols are out there every day
finding Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and detaining targeted enemy forces,
making Iraq a much safer place and I could not be more proud of the job they are doing.
It continues to amaze me for all that I ask them to do and the success they have
as they figure out how to accomplish the mission each and every time.

The company continues to make a few changes since I took command.
First, we said farewell to Captain Alex Lane as he moved to the battalion staff
to be the Task Force Night Battle Captain. Captain Lane did a great job filling the gap
from one commander to the next, but is now busy learning the ways of staff.
First Lieutenant Justin Twombly was clearly ready for increased responsibilities
and he has been charged with becoming the new Snake 5 – the company Executive Officer
and directly responsible for keeping me straight.

While we lost Captain Lane to the battalion staff, we received two fine lieutenants –
Second Lieutenant Chris Loudon and Second Lieutenant Brian Piancentini.
I’d like to welcome Chris and his wife Jacey to the companyas he becomes the new Second Platoon Leader
to fill in the gap when we bumped First Lieutenant Twombly up to Executive Officer.
Additionally, Second Lieutenant Brian Piancentini and his fiancée Misty
are a wonderful addition to the Copperhead family as Brian will be working as an assistant to the Executive Officer
and me, learning as much as he can in preparation for becoming a Platoon Leader.

We also made two changes in the CRT as we lost Staff Sergeant Antwain Smith to Team D
and Specialist Erik Anderson to Team A – their efforts to keep this company rolling were impressive to say the least.
Staff Sergeant Frank Demont has stepped up to the responsibility of Maintenance Team Chief
in Staff Sergeant Smith’s absence and we welcome two tremendous additions to the maintenance team
with Sergeant Ramon Escareno – and his wife Eminnette – and Specialist Juan Pereria who join the Copperhead family.

This month we had the privilege and honor to promote two well deserving Soldiers in Copperhead.
This month I’d like to congratulate Private First Class Daryl Zepeda of Second Platoon
and Specialist Gregory Metcalf of the CRT who were recently promoted.
Both Soldiers have provided outstanding service as a member of Copperhead
and demonstrated potential for increased responsibility.

The Soldiers of Copperhead are doing a great job and we really appreciate all your support from back home.
We look forward to getting home to see you all soon, but first we have just a few more things to accomplish
then we will be back there with all our loved ones celebrating the holidays.