1st Battalion 22nd Infantry Updates April 2010 Page 3

1st Battalion 22nd Infantry

1st Battalion Newsletter

April 2010

Company D, FSC, A 4-42 Artillery

Dealer Company Families and Friends,

I am writing you this note as we complete our rotation at the Joint Readiness Training Center at Fort Polk, Louisiana.
Believe it or not the weather actually cooperated with Dealer Company for a change. So as some of you shoveled snow,
we tried to beat the Louisiana heat. The heat did take its toll, but we only received rain once or twice. It turned out
to prove the “best” time to train in Louisiana.

For the past three weeks Dealer Soldiers learned valuable lessons that will definitely contribute to success on
the battlefield. We participated in incredible training events that tested our abilities to function as a combat arms company.
This training facility provided native Afghans that spoke Dari and required us to utilize interpreters in order to communicate.
The Soldiers stayed in hard-stand buildings on a place called Forward Operating Base (FOB) WARRIOR.
The FOB provided showers, air-conditioning, and a chow hall that served standard Army chow. Please know
that your Soldier is definitely looking forward to returning to Colorado and finding better food options.

Our rotation was broken down into three major phases. The first included a series of classroom-type instructions
on a variety of topics. Training topics included battlefield forensics, tactical site exploitation, working with helicopters,
command and control of convoys, intelligence collection, and learning about various pieces of equipment.
We actually received a remote-controlled robot that helped clear routes.

The second phase placed the Company into three different training lanes; a cordon and search operation of a village,
a combined mission with Afghan security forces, and a defense of a Combat Outpost (COP). This phase focused
on the Company. During the cordon and search lane part of the Company arrived at the objective via vehicles,
while another section flew in helicopters.

While in the village we reacted to enemy contact and successfully captured a high-level individual. The second lane
required us to work with Soldiers from the Afghan National Army. This training focused on integrating our planning
and execution with the Afghans as we will do this daily while deployed. We learned the frustrations of translating
our plans into another language. The final lane placed the Company into a COP with a mission to defend against
enemy assault. We arrived around 2:00PM and began to establish our defense. Soldiers did not sleep during this lane
as the enemy constantly tested our perimeter and launched an all-out assault around sunrise. We defended the COP
successfully and did not allow the enemy to breach our defenses. All of us learned valuable lessons of how
to establish an effective defense. We concluded this phase exhausted and hungry, but full of important lessons learned.

The final phase proved the highlight of the rotation. It was a five-day force-on-force exercise where we were assigned
a specific area for which we were in control. We conducted several different types of operation to include reconnaissance,
defense, visits with village leaders, and contact with enemy forces. This phase tested our ability to plan missions
and fight the counter-insurgency fight. Our village was reported to be supportive of enemy elements and we had
the mission to change that. During those five days your Soldier conducted missions at all times of the day.
Initially 1st and 2nd Platoons partnered with Afghan National Army Soldiers, while 3rd Platoon served as a
Quick Reaction Force for the Battalion. We established another COP, and this was a little anomalous as we represented
the only Company in the Brigade that was required to complete that task. We encountered countless contacts
with enemy forces and defeated them each time.

This training center is designed to throw an enormous amount of problems at each unit simultaneously in order to test
reaction and decision making. It was exhausting. During a Company meeting at the end of the rotation I think
PV2 Michael Mazza said it perfectly, “I think we are better prepared for what we will face in Afghanistan after this
training event.” Our rotation at Fort Polk prepared us for our deployment. I am so impressed at the level of dedication
displayed by your Soldier. You should all be extremely proud.

Over the course of the next two months we will complete a series of final training events as we prepare to deploy.
It will prove busy. The month of May will include recovering our equipment from Louisiana, intense language training,
weapons ranges, advisor training, administrative preparation for deployment, and packing for Afghanistan.
Please know that I am determined to ensure that this formation is prepared to deploy and complete our mission.

My wife, Sarah, invites all spouses and Family members to participate with our Family Readiness Group (FRG).
As we prepare for deployment this group with help provide information and details to Families. Please know that
we want to help and ensure all of your questions receive answers. Don’t hesitate to contact us if you need help.

Mark your calendars for June 12th as our Battalion will host a Battalion Ball at the Elkhorn Hilton in downtown
Colorado Springs. Moreover, the Battalion will sponsor another Town Hall meeting in late May in order to pass out
more information about our upcoming deployment. I highly recommend that everyone attends this event
to gain knowledge and ask any questions.
It is a privilege to command your Soldier.

All the best,
CPT Ethan Olberding
Dealer 6

The Headquarters at JRTC
by 2LT Daniel Quinlan

Dealer Company Headquarters Platoon provided not only the admin and maintenance, but was also called upon
many times to be the drivers, gunners, and foot Soldiers for the Company during JRTC missions. They were
the first platoon to wake in the morning and last platoon to sleep each evening. Each day the headquarters platoon’s
mission or daily task changed to fit the daily mission requirements. Without their constant work the Company mission
would come to a halt.

During the force on force the Company Intelligence Support Team (COIST) team worked 24 hour shifts
with SGT Johnson working the day shift and SGT Tipton working the night shift. Each bit of information that the COIST
pushed was analyzed and broken down to fit the current operations being run by the Company. They were constantly
fighting to get us assets that could help Dealer Company accomplish its mission more effectively.

The mechanics, the back bone of the Company, not only were working to make sure the vehicles were serviceable
but also were called upon to be the drivers of vehicles. Two mechanics, SGT Holland and SGT Gangl, drove for
the 1SG and Commander respectively. SPC Rontes, a member of the COIST and Arms room clerk, served as
the Commander’s gunner, as well as a machine gunner for 2nd Platoon as they conducted patrols during the
COP defense. SGT Fiskum, the Company Communications expert, was the First Sergeant’s gunner while
simultaneously fixing on the spot problems with communications.

In short, Headquarters Platoon manned the radios, made the coffee, collected supplies, fixed vehicles, tracked
the companies movement, pulled guard, ran numerous errands, manned the TOC, gathered and analyzed
intelligence reports, typed memos, printed documents, did fires planning, provided overhead imagery of objectives
and countless other tasks during the course of 3 weeks at JRTC. Their hard work ensured Company success.
Job well done.

A Platoon Leader’s Perspective of JRTC
By 2LT Mark Noziska

During the month of April, 1st Platoon, Dealer Company conducted training at the Joint Readiness Training Center
(JRTC) at Fort Polk, Louisiana. The 3 weeks of training was broken up into 3 training sets; pre-rotational training,
company situational training exercises (STX), and force on force. The pre-rotational training consisted of air-ground
integration (AGI), tactical site exploitation (TSE), and battlefield forensics. During AGI, Soldiers were able to talk
to Apache helicopter pilots about how to call them for close air support. SFC Marceau was able to learn the proper
procedures in synchronizing ground forces with air assets. The TSE class was a week long and taught Soldiers
how to properly gather evidence from a site and how to properly question detainees on the battlefield.
The intelligence gathered can be used much like evidence at a crime scene, helping local national judicial systems
keep criminals off the streets and allow U.S. intelligence agencies to target key individuals. The battlefield forensics class
was similar to the TSE class but focused more on evidence gathering and documentation of that evidence.
SGT Cardenas and SGT Goodman were able to use the skills learned in those courses to aid the company
in gathering intelligence throughout the training cycle.

The company STX portion of JRTC lasted 5 days and consisted of 4 lanes: street level engagement, cordon
and search, foreign service force integration, and combat outpost (COP) defense. During the street level engagement lane,
2LT Noziska, SFC Marceau, SSG Martinez, SGT Williams, and SGT Cardenas were tested with different scenarios.
The scenarios challenged their ability to communicate with local nationals through an interpreter. The cordon and
search lane partnered the platoon with Afghan National Army (ANA) role players in order to secure a high value individual.
The foreign service force integration lane challenged every Soldier. The most difficult aspects of this mission
were the limited time and language barrier Soldiers had to overcome. The culmination of the company STX
was the COP defense. The COP defense tested every Soldier’s intestinal fortitude, as they had to maintain security
for over 24 hrs with no sleep. Throughout the night, the enemy probed the lines and finally attacked with 20+ individuals,
which Dealer Company was able to repel.

Lastly, the force on force portion of JRTC proved to be most difficult. Through the 5 days of 24 hour operations,
1st Platoon was tasked as a blocking element during key leader engagements, the security element for the company COP,
and recon asset for the village and routes in our area of operation. We also conducted a raid that secured a
high value individual, which lead to intelligence that benefited the Battalion battle space. Lastly, the Platoon supported
the Battalion during a school opening serving as a security element.

While I am proud of each and every Soldier in 1st Platoon, I would like to recognize a few who stood out from their peers.
SGT Williams, SGT Cardenas, SPC Day, SPC Smith, PV2 Kimbrough, PV2 Haynes, and PV2 Anastasi set the example
for the Soldiers of Dealer Company throughout the JRTC deployment.

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CPT Rossol’s Commander Notes

Congratulations to all who have survived another tax year. It marks the beginning of another season and with it
a change in temperature with hopefully less snow and a lot of sunshine. For those that like to fish, camp, mountain bike,
hike, and go boating, the weather should break the cabin fever of our long winter months.

As this is being written, the Forward Support Company and your Soldiers have just completed training
at Joint Readiness Training Center in Fort Polk, Louisiana. It was definitely a unique and challenging experience.
This three week training rotation gave Soldiers and leaders throughout the formation confidence in each other
and most importantly, themselves. Many daylight hours and sleepless nights were spent conducting operations
to support our 1-22 Infantry Battalion. The Maintenance and Distribution platoons started their training off with
an IED defeat lane where they built on lessons learned from Fort Carson on the threats of IEDs and how to detect
and defeat them. Both platoons moved directly into planning and executing Combat Convoy lanes. During this portion
of training leaders planned the operation and then conducted a lane using tactics, techniques, and procedures
in various scenarios. They focused on reacting to enemy contact, recovering disabled vehicles, and air-to-ground
integration with AH-64 Apache helicopters. Leaders were able to conduct key leader engagements with Afghan leaders
in the community to replicate the partnership that we will have in Afghanistan. Both the Maintenance and
Distribution platoons conducted Convoy Live Fire lanes. They used all the tools they had learned and put them to use
with live ammunition on reactive targets. After returning from lanes the company ramped up its tempo and began
the five day battalion mission. During this period the company conducted five resupply missions to joint outposts,
three sling loads from CH-47 Chinooks and UH-60 Blackhawks, and two recovery missions on combat vehicles.
The company also aided in four casualty evacuation missions that proved that our training and systems will
carry over to Afghanistan with great success.

During our time at JRTC, the field feeding section managed the cooking for over nine hundred and fifty personnel.
Other Soldiers also had training in areas not well known in a Forward Support Logistics Company. Six of our
female Soldiers were selected to become part of the Female Engagement Team (FET). SSG Soto, SPC Metts,
SPC Rivers, PFC Robinson, PFC Olson, and PFC Parr had the privilege to form this team and conduct interactions
amongst the female Afghan population. This team had great training and will have a truly rewarding experience
in Afghanistan. Some of your Soldiers had first hand experience securing landing zones so that cargo and supplies
could be dropped out of planes by the Air force or slung in via Army helicopters. Overall the training was indelible
and will prove invaluable in the months to come.

As I look throughout our formation at everyone who joined in the training exercise, I see added confidence
in leaders and motivation and drive amongst Soldiers. I am encouraged, proud, and honored to get to serve
alongside your Soldier. They all have a true desire to succeed and the will to win in any circumstance.
I could not be prouder in the work they have done and the success in which they created for our company.
As always, their success is truly dependent on those of you reading this newsletter and the support in which you give them.

Company shirts are available to both Soldiers and their Family/Friends. They are gray Under Armor “type”
long sleeve shirts and display the 1-22IN BN crest on the front and have the Eliminator mascot and motto on the back.
The FSC guideon is also printed on the sleeve. T-Shirt costs are $20 each or two for $30 and are available in medium
through XL with limited quantities in small. POCs for t-shirts can be contacted at the FSC orderly room.
Looking forward to this spring, many of us have sons and daughters in school along with some graduating
from high school. It is my intent that Soldiers and parents be afforded the opportunity to attend parent teacher
conferences as well as graduation ceremonies. Graduation dates for the Colorado Springs area generally take place
between the dates of May 18th-29th. I encourage Soldiers and spouses to inform me through their chain-of-command
if they have a son or daughter graduating in another state so that they may attend.

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Hello Family and friends of Alpha Battery,

I write this as an extremely proud commander of Soldiers who return to Fort Carson different than when they departed
almost a month ago. JRTC rotation 10-06 at its simplest form was a gut check for every Aztec. By design JRTC
provided training opportunities meant to induce stress and test leadership at all levels by simulating all aspects
of combat in a condensed time-frame. We were asked to perform missions unfamiliar to most artillerymen,
often times with little time to plan and even less time to relax.

The rotation was broken into three phases consisting of platoon combined arms live fire lanes, battery situational
tactical exercise (STX) lanes, culminating with a six day force on force operation where our mission was to partner
with Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) to secure the village of Tofani and strengthen its ties to the Afghan government.
When the dust cleared on the final day of force on force it was clear that we succeeded in all three phases.

I defined mission success at JRTC by whether every individual Soldier and the battery as a whole learned and improved
every day. I can conclusively state that we accomplished that mission and then some. The Aztecs are a much better
prepared battery than when we departed Fort Carson. With our deployment to Afghanistan right around the corner
the battery will continue to build on our gains achieved at JRTC so that we will be as prepared as possible
when we leave Fort Carson again.

The remainder of this article was written by the platoon leaders to highlight particular parts of the rotation
significant to them and their Soldiers. I hope that this helps paint a picture of the success that the Aztecs shared
during our time at JRTC.

MICHAEL KURTICH CPT, FA Commanding

Aztec 1-6: JRTC Rotation
By 1LT Robb W. Myers, 1st PLT Leader

The whole JRTC Rotation was a great experience for all members of 1st Platoon. We were sleep deprived,
almost starved, and definitely exhausted however our good humor and cohesion kept us going.

The first big mission we had was the platoon live fire. It is always fun to get out and shoot live rounds because
shooting blanks just get boring after a while. We were briefed with a simple mission and had ample time to plan
and rehearse. Our mission was to raid a town and look for a possible High Value Individual (HVI) who was living
in the village. In our preparations we were able to rehearse on a mock village, we had extra training in breaching doors
with live explosives, calling in live Apache helicopters and MEDEVAC helicopters, and everyone’s favorite,
engaging targets with live rocket launchers, the AT4.

When the mission finally kicked off the helicopters started pounding the objective as the whole platoon moved
through the wood line. Once SGT Gonzales had our support by fire and squad designated marksmen in place
and engaging targets, the assault element with SSG Braddy and SGT Mayen were able to move into position.
Our gun trucks came into the village and began to support us when the assault team moved into position on
building number one. Once they set the demo on the door and breached, it was on. We moved methodically
from building to building clearing and covering our buddies. As the gun trucks and squads moved in,
the Apaches flew low and provided security. We engaged a target to the East side of the village with the AT4
and were able to continue pushing through the village. We had only one simulated casualty and SFC Parker
and PFC Fudge had a bird on the ground in less than 10 minutes. SGT Garza’s team successfully rolled up
the HVI and we secured the whole town in less than 30 minutes.

Watching it all take place from the outside wall of a building, it made me extremely proud of my platoon.
We plan and refine continually, rehearse until we are blue in the face, and execute our missions methodically.
We had great feedback from the trainers and it was a great moral booster going into the force on force portion
of the rotation.

The Force on Force mission was to move to a Joint Combat Outpost and work to integrate Afghan National Army
and Afghan National Police forces into our missions, and successfully provide security for the town and people
of Tofani. Although the scenario is scripted and the actors are paid, the enemy is elusive and fights very well;
I knew we had our work cut out for us.

Our first mission was to recon and survey the perimeter of the town. We spent a lot of time walking,
and more time walking, and then we walked a little more.

Our next focus was securing the actual JCOP. We had to man the two guard towers and provide a Quick Reaction Force
(QRF) for the other two platoons who were outside the wire. The sleep schedule was grueling. Each squad pulled
long shifts and sometimes wouldn’t sleep for more than 4 hours in a day.

All of these missions were good but once the Battery Commander realized that we needed to maintain a presence
in the city at all times, he called on 1st Platoon. We were tasked to occupy a 3 story building until further notice.
We had to maintain over watch on our squads as they patrolled the streets at all hours of the day. We worked
4 hour shifts, 1st squad sleeping or at least trying to sleep on the dirty cramped floor, 2nd squad guarding the windows,
and 3rd squad doing street and presence patrols. The cycle seemed to work however mission changes and reacting
to contact made for some pretty long days. It was funny to watch guys sleeping in all sorts of positions
that looked terribly uncomfortable, or having someone approach you in total darkness, asking who you were
and what you were doing.

During our days in the observation post (OP) we were able to keep the enemy off balance and the last few days
in Tofani were very quiet. We were able to get out and meet with the locals during the day and at night we would
hang out at the Afghan National Police station learning about the Afghan culture. It was a great experience for all of us.
We began reinforcing the bond that we will need during the upcoming deployment. Our mission was successful
and I know that everyone feels that they did their part and more to help.

In the end I am very proud of the platoon, my platoon sergeant and myself . He and I talked last night after dinner
and we discussed how so many of our guys stepped up to the plate and went above and beyond. How so many guys
did the right thing at the right time to save their buddy, or to help spread joy and security for the town’s people.
This rotation has taught us all a lot and it was definitely prepared us for the deployment. I am confident that
we will continue to grow as a team, get better every day, and that our platoon will be ready for the mission in Afghanistan.

Aztec 2-6: The Main Effort
By: 2LT Jason Bourque, 2nd Platoon Leader

Prior to deployment every unit in the Army is expected to go through a high intensity training event. 2nd Platoon’s
training event took place in the swamps of Louisiana at the Joint Readiness Training Center. There were many different
events that happened during our month long stay at the training center, so reflecting on the entire journey would take
far too long. I will simply highlight our most important mission that happened during our force on force training.

In order to simulate a real deployment environment JRTC has each unit fight a force of people (1-509 IN,
also known as, Geronimo) who are specifically trained to replicate the actions of the enemy we will soon face
in Afghanistan. This training lasts for five days and is simply known as force on force. During these five days
2nd Platoon was used to help defend our perimeter, conduct Key Leader Engagements (KLE), patrol in and
around the city of Tofani, and sometimes used as an assault force in the face of this ruthless enemy.

The clock hit 18:16 and each person of 2nd Platoon sat down on their makeshift bunks for the first time that day.
The temperature had reached about 87 degrees and the humidity made the sweat of each soldier fill the room
with the distinct scent of hard work. Each soldier simply began to make their bed while the leadership of the
Platoon began looking at the new mission in front of them. Geronimo had infiltrated the city of Tofani, a town
that Alpha Battery was specifically tasked with protecting. One of Geronimo’s cell leaders was spotted operating
in a three story house in the northern part of the town. Our task was to conduct a tactical search and seizure
of this target at 0700 the following morning.

SSG Potter turned to me and pointed out that we simply had no tactical advantage on the house.
Surrounding the house were two three story buildings and a mosque, the most significant being the place of
spiritual dwelling. SFC Thomas began to break down our rough diagram of the city and turned to all of the NCOs
with four simple words: “Let’s get it done!”

I began to look around at the faces of each soldier knowing I was taking them out the next day in the face of danger.
Their exhaustion was simply a credit to their hard work that day, but I had little time for such rest knowing that
our plan needed to be extremely good to be successful. A snap of the fingers and a hard shake on my shoulder
snapped me out of my trance, and SFC Thomas simply asked, “So how do you want to do this?” I began to explain
the plan, setting up blocking positions along the main roads to the north, northeast, and south would help prevent
any enemy penetration while we conducted our seizure. One squad would simply patrol the outside of the city
as a first response to any enemy action. I knew that my three squad leaders and Platoon Sergeant would have
quite a task on their hands controlling just that portion, so I positioned myself with the search team, a group
of four soldiers. Our plan seemed solid and we began rehearsing the steps with each other until we could recite
the order without the use of a map.

I took one last glance of the map and called all of the soldiers in around me. Slowly they began piling in
around my bunk consisting of an array of papers, maps, and sketches. Each of their faces looked at me with a sense
of curiosity and the excitement began to build. I looked up at each one of them and explained our mission and
without any further comments they understood the importance of the mission. I knew their attention was no longer
focused on their tired bodies, but instead listening to their chiefs so everyone would come home the next day.
The rest of the night was spent practicing the plan and Smoke made sure every soldier was in bed by 2300.
As I began to crawl into bed I looked at SFC Thomas and he said to me, “So now we get to be the main effort…”
I simply laid my head down and didn’t think much of his joke.

Wake up was at 0500 and the chiefs walked around making sure the motivation within their squads was at the right level.
I began to get dressed and thought more about the words Smoke had said to me the night previous. We were the
main effort and Battery success hinged on our mission. The soldiers ate their breakfast, we inspected all of our equipment,
and we did one last talk through of the mission. Just before we rolled out on our patrol Smoke called everyone in
and like a basketball team does before each game we gathered our hands in and shouted our motto, “Deal with it!!”

The few rays of daylight began to peek over the horizon and the smell of the muggy air began to set the stage
for our mission. The heat slowly began to rise as our trucks rolled out of the gate. The steady dust stream began
to grow as our speed increased leaving a trail of our determination. The vehicles began to set in place, SSG Potter
began to gather his dismounted squad, and I jumped out of my truck with my Afghan National Security Force partners
consisting of police and army members. My four man team gathered all of their equipment so we could quickly
detain the suspect and gather evidence at the scene.

We executed what we rehearsed and reacted quickly to address the unforeseen elements of the mission.
We ultimately detained the target and transported him to JCOP Tofani for questioning and movement
to battalion headquarters at FOB Anvil. The intelligence gathered from this target undoubtedly led to Battery,
Battalion, and Brigade success during the Force on Force.

It is a credit to the Soldiers and leadership of 2nd platoon that we were so successful during this and all missions at JRTC.

Aztec 3-6: Follow On Mission
By 2LT Nicholas Lange, 3rd PLT Leader

The five day force on force portion of 1-4 ID’s JRTC rotation brought many challenges to 3rd Platoon,
A/4-42 FA. The most consistent and trying challenge our platoon was presented with was ability to remain flexible.
That our platoon would be forced to adapt and overcome was evident to all once we learned of our transition
from an Artillery unit to a motorized Infantry platoon earlier this year. Since then, our time as a platoon has been spent
learning a new craft in preparation for our deployment to Afghanistan. The five days of 24 hour-ops during
force on force provided us an opportunity to exhibit how far we have come in our transition to a direct fire unit.
In the piney woods of northern Louisiana, 3rd PLT demonstrated its ability to be a lethal force in a myriad of
situations and environments against the resident enemy force (Geronimo).

Our level of readiness was best demonstrated on the 4th day of force on force, when every soul was tired, dirty,
and anticipating Geronimo’s next move. The platoon, many of whom had just returned from an overnight TCP
(traffic control point) in the village of Tofani, were suddenly woken up and told to gear up ASAP. Our task
and purpose was to reinforce 1st Platoon’s QRF (quick reaction force), who had just become bogged down
in a firefight in the village. Despite having to dig deep for some good old fashioned false motivation, the platoon
was mounted up and ready to go within just a few minutes. Upon our arrival at the location of the firefight,
3rd Platoon demonstrated it’s audacity and fierceness by closing with the enemy, overwhelming, and ultimately
forcing Geronimo to retreat away from the village. After exploiting the site of the firefight for intelligence and
engaging the village mayor in a discussion about the attack, 3rd Platoon assumed it would return to the JCOP
(Joint Combat Outpost) in order to finish prepping for the day’s regularly scheduled patrols.

Just as PFC Remington finished commenting about hoping to get back in time to grab breakfast,
our company command post was heard over the radio, “Aztec 3-6, we have a follow on mission for you.”
As a platoon leader, I wanted to call back and explain why we needed to get hot chow and finish prepping
for the day, the excuses were bountiful. However, 3rd Platoon has never said ‘We don’t do windows.’
In that spirit, I alerted the NCO’s of a follow on mission and radioed back to the CP for a task and purpose.
Our follow on mission was to reinforce a security checkpoint and establish a secure perimeter on the west side
of the village of Tofani. Despite a plethora of reasons to complain or move at a snail’s pace, the platoon snapped to
and had the reinforcements and perimeter in place in record time. This proved critical since the Geronimo elements
we had pushed out of the village earlier had pushed north in a tree line and were again trying to enter.
Upon learning of this, the platoon developed a hasty plan to clear the tree line, executed, and again pushed
Geronimo away from the village. Finally, after this subsequent firefight the platoon would surely return home.
Not so, as we were directed to remain in place. I decided to hedge my bets and send the dismounted troops back
to the JCOP for refit while leaving our 3 gun trucks in place to pull security. Many of us assumed that after
the high number of casualties we had just inflicted upon Geronimo in two fire fights, while taking none of our own,
surely the enemy would retreat in order to regroup. Not so…

Moments after emplacing the gun trucks on the west side of Tofani, the enemy were caught trying to flank
our elements that had just been engaged on the east side of town. Our three trucks maneuvered in sync and utilized
their deadly firepower in order to destroy the Geronimo forces that had been bold enough to attempt to engage us
a third time. At this time, my platoon seargent confirmed a concern I had: we had no dismounts ready to pursue
the enemy after it was evident Geronimo had either perished or were retreating. This concern was alleviated
when SSG Comes called me up and stated he had 4 soldiers ready to dismount the trucks and clear the woods.
Once again, 3rd Platoon doesn’t make excuses. Upon dismounting with my medic, the six of us broke up
into two teams and cleared the woods with the gun trucks in an over watch position. The time was 1400,
my soldiers had left the JCOP at 0700 for a short mission to reinforce a sister platoon and had just missed
their second meal. Yet, I looked around a saw a squad leader, a medic, an RTO, and others jumping at the chance
to doggedly pursue the enemy. These guys exemplified the Warrior Ethos and dedication to mission and each other.

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