1st Battalion 22nd Infantry Iraq October 2006

1st Battalion 22nd Infantry

Unit Updates
2006

1-22 BN CO, CSM, HHC, Chaplain

October 15, 2006

FROM THE COMMANDER

Hello once again from western Baghdad! As we pass our tenth month of deployment,
the temperatures have cooled and we are all thankful for the change in seasons.

This past month the battalion has truly been taking the fight to the enemy and has severely disrupted
the enemy’s ability to conduct operations. Every insurgent cell in our area has felt the presence of the Regulars.
We have captured more insurgents this past month than any of the ten months that we have been conducting combat operations.
In fact, the enemy now posts messages to the local people telling them to not speak with us
because of the pressure we are putting on them with the help of the local population.
The Regulars are also known throughout Multi-National Division-Baghdad as experts
at finding and exploiting enemy caches of weapons and munitions – finding more than any other battalion in the Division.

Our civil affairs efforts continue to rise and the people of the Abu Ghraib region are seeing more assistance from us
in their communities than at any time since we arrived. Since last month, we have renovated schools, paved roads,
repaired water mains, installed generators, picked-up trash, and help repair the only hospital in the area.
Our efforts not only raise the quality of life for the Iraqi people, but also provide jobs for the citizens,
infuse money into their economy, and weaken the grip that the insurgency has on the population.

As I wrote last month, Team B continues to serve with distinction while attached to 4^th Battalion, 31^st Infantry
of the 10^th Mountain Division at Forward Operating Base Mahmudiyah. They are doing great things to our south
and we are eager to bring them back to us before we redeploy. Over the past month, we were given even more battlespace
than we had last month. Despite the increase in geographic responsibility, the pace of our operations
continues to increase and we continue to have significant effects on the enemy.

During the reorganization that normally occurs throughout the course of a campaign, we returned 1^st Platoon,
A Company, 1^st Battalion, 23^rd Infantry Regiment to their parent unit here on Camp Liberty.
Their service with us was invaluable and we thank them for it.
They are true professionals and will continue to excel wherever they go.

As most of you know, taking the fight to the enemy does not come without cost.
This past month has been especially difficult for the battalion – we have suffered more casualties
than any other month before. In the past 30 days, we have lost six of our great Soldiers
and had several more wounded. Sergeant Aaron Smith, Sergeant Jennifer Hartman, and Corporal Marcus Cain
were all killed by a suicide bomber on September 14^th; Sergeant Chase Haag was killed by an IED
while serving as a gunner in an uparmored HMMWV on October 1^st; Sergeant Brandon Asbury was killed by a sniper
while conducting a barrier emplacement mission on October 7^th; and Second Lieutenant Jonny Craver died on October 13^th
when his Bradley Fighting Vehicle was attacked with an IED. Memorial services here in Iraq
accompanied the passing of each of our heroes and they were revered in a most fitting manner.

Without question, the hardest thing we experience is losing one of our own. We grieve for the loss that we feel,
we grieve for the potential that will never be realized, and we grieve for the families that will be broken
because a loved one will not be returning to them. Our hearts go out to each family in the states –
they will never be far from our thoughts and they will always be part of the Regulars family.

Our mission must continue here and we must do so with even greater dedication and devotion to what must be done.
The memories of our fallen brothers and sister will spur us on to action to achieve greater successes
than we have achieved thus far. Anything less would denigrate their lives and sacrifices.

I realize that many of you are now looking forward to our return, but I continually remind our Soldiers here
that our work is not done and we must not lose focus on our task at hand.
As we prepare to receive our brothers and sisters from the First Cavalry Division, we will continue our operations
at or above our current level and ensure that the transition does not provide the enemy any opportunity
to gain an advantage on us. Our redeployment information is starting to solidify and it will be disseminated to the spouses
and family members at the appropriate times. Although we have begun making plans to return home,
we will remain focused throughout the remainder of our time here.

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 also 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.

Regulars, by God! Deeds, Not Words.

— Lieutenant Colonel Craig A. Osborne (Regular 6)

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FROM THE COMMAND SERGEANT MAJOR

Hello again, folks…

It is mid-October now and we have flipped another page in the deployment calendar.
It’s been ten months since we left Fort Hood and we now have less than 50 days prior to our redeployment.
In less than a month, our small advance party will leave here and return to Fort Hood
to begin working tasks associated with reception and integration of the battalion back on Fort Hood.

As our time here draws to a close, it’s completely understandable that the majority of the Soldiers
will also be counting the days until they return home, but it remains critical that we continue to focus on the mission
with as few distractions as possible. This can become a dangerous time when mission-focus is lost
and complacency sets in. Although obviously looking forward to our imminent return,
the Soldiers of the Regulars battalion continue to remain diligent in their duties
and also continue to perform magnificently here.

Since our last letter, the weather here has finally broken from the nearly unbearable heat of the summer.
With the exception of just a few days, the average daily temperature is hovering somewhere in the mid-90’s
and the nighttime average is somewhere in the 70’s. After a long summer of temperatures cresting over the 120 degree mark,
this is a very welcome relief.

During the past few days, we have been re-introduced to something that we have not seen
nor considered since early last spring: mud; sticky, gooey, slippery Iraqi mud.
We have had a few rain showers lately (again – something we haven’t seen for many months here)
and are not looking forward to a continuation of that type of weather.
Granted, it does tend to knock the dust level down some, but in exchange we have to deal with everything
and every surface, inside and out, covered with a slick layer of the stuff we dread.

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This past month has been marked with some incredible successes and some incredible sorrow.
We have had a banner month for capturing some really bad guys – dozens of the high-value individuals
that we have chased for months are now behind prison bars or dead. It takes an incredible amount of patience
and some crafty detective work to do this, and the companies out in the field have done this well.
The Soldiers of the battalion have done a tremendous job of taking the fight to the enemy
and have recovered literally tons of weapons and munitions from the battlefield.

And, this success does not come without a price. Six of our Soldiers were killed this past month;
a terrible price to pay for such success. Our thoughts and prayers go out to all of the families who are suffering,
and to all of their comrades in arms who are also suffering. Those who are no longer with us
have left a legacy of hope for those who survive and for the people of Iraq.
We will never be able to replace our lost Soldiers, nor repay them for their sacrifice and contribution to the unit,
the Army, and our Nation.

In closing, the battalion continues to engage the enemy at every opportunity and is making great progress here.
Keep them in your prayers as 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.
To all of those great Americans back home who continue to support the unit with letters and goodie boxes –
we cannot thank you enough for your patriotism and love of the Soldiers of this unit. Until next month…

Regulars, By God!

—Command Sergeant Major Richard Beal (Regular 7)

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HEADQUARTERS AND HEADQUARTERS COMPANY – HAMMER

This month we continue to pray for the health and speedy recovery of Specialist Ricky Yarosh
and Private First Class Andrew Loe, and must add Sergeant Oscar Ipatzi to that list.
This past month, Sergeant Ipatzi injured his back when he suffered a fall
from the second floor of a building he was searching and he is pending treatment in Germany.

I would like to welcome First Lieutenant Chris Thelen and First Lieutenant Ryan Thompson to the company.
Chris came from A Company and Ryan came from C Company to train Iraqi Soldiers.
I had the pleasure of working with both of these officers before and know they will be a great addition to the Hammer team.

The Scout and Mortar Platoons are two units that are difficult to keep track of.
They are both attached to other companies and that will likely be the case until it is time to leave.
The scouts are working with A Company, and the mortars are working with C Company.

The Medical Platoon is leading the way in reenlistments. They are also very busy
providing continuous health care to Task Force 1-22 Soldiers, other coalition Soldiers, and, on occasion,
local nationals and third country national contractors. They are very good at fixing ailments and saving lives.

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The following Soldiers were promoted this month:

Staff Sergeant Mark Wilson to Sergeant First Class (S4 Section)
Specialist Matthew Shaw to Sergeant (Medical Platoon)
Specialist XX Venegas to Sergeant (Medical Platoon)
Private First Class Deney Bryant promoted to Specialist (S4 Section)
Private First Class Artur Liamin to Specialist (Medical Platoon)
Private First Class Jonathan Nguyen to Specialist (Headquarters Platoon)
Private Chad Gooding to Private Second Class (A Company Fire Support Team)

Other special dates in the unit this past month were:

Private William Weeden (Headquarters Platoon) celebrated his 23^rd birthday on September 15^th
Sergeant Steven Holderby (D Company Fire Support Team) celebrated his 26^th birthday on September 15^th
Sergeant Jimmy Pilant (Headquarters Platoon) celebrated his 40^th birthday on September 15^th
Mrs. Tanya Gooding celebrated her birthday on September 21^st
Staff Sergeant Isaac Lopez (A Company Fire Support Team) celebrated his 27^th birthday on September 28^th
Specialist Moises Rodriguez (S1 Section) and his wife Jasmine celebrated their 4^th year of marriage
Sergeant Richard Perez (S1 Section) and his wife Griselda celebrated their 5^th year of marriage

Congratulations!

—Captain Troy Parrish (Hammer 6)

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FROM THE CHAPLAIN

Wow! Just a few weeks and we will once again be experiencing the joys and triumphs of home.
I know the anticipation level is high. Many of us have dreamed of the day when reunion takes place
and we close the cover on this chapter in our lives. Let me take the time to remind you
that we still have work to do here before all our attention can be given back home.
Those of us here would love nothing more than to do this, but we honorably acknowledge
and follow the oath we took to “support and defend…” Still, we cannot help but long for that day
when the plane coasts into the airport and we are whisked back to Ft. Hood to stand before you
as proud American Soldiers; holding our heads high because of accomplishment,
and then melting into the arms of loved ones.

What a glorious thought to dwell on! Let me also remind you that not all things will go smoothly;
nor will things be “as they once were.” We cannot erase time and experiences, but we can grow together
and learn from each other as we share what we can and discover how the other has “made it through.”
As we begin looking to this day please allow me to share with you some “tips”
as we begin our redeployment activities within the next few weeks...

Avoid scheduling too many things
Go slowly in making adjustments
You and your Soldier may need time for yourself. Husband and wife are vital to the home!
Remind Soldier they are still needed in the family. Men need this affirmation a lot.
Discuss splitting up the family chores
Stick to your budget until you’ve had time to talk it through together
Along with time for the family, make individual time to talk
Be patient with yourself and your partner
Soldiers may have changed. Don’t resist this change – embrace this reality!
Soldiers, used to the open spaces of the field, may feel closed in.
Soldiers may be overwhelmed by the noise and confusion of home life. See #1, #2.
Soldiers may be on a different schedule of sleeping and eating (jet lag)
Soldiers may wonder if they still fit into the family. See #4.
Soldiers may want to take back all the responsibilities they had before they left. See #5, #6.
Soldiers may feel hurt when young children are slow to hug them.

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 during this home stretch.
May You cause us to begin communication with our loved ones so we can enjoy reunion on that day.
In the Holy Name of Jesus the Christ. AMEN!”

—Chaplain (Captain) John Hill

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