1st Battalion 22nd Infantry Updates September 2008 Page 1

Regular 6 Sends:
Friends and Families of the Regulars, I hope this month’s newsletter finds all of you
doing very well as we cross over the 6 month mark in our deployment.
We have made it through the “dog days” of summer and are finally getting some relief from the heat.
I am so proud of the men and women of this Battalion. Although it was miserably hot at times,
the Regulars were out in force, 24 hours a day keeping watch over the continued progress
of NW Rashid. Just incredible.

This month was Ramadan for the citizens of Iraq. It started at the crest of the new moon (1st part of September)
and will end once that phase of the moon cycle comes again (end of September).
During this time the Iraqi citizens fast (no food or water) during the daylight hours
and then have “Iftar” (breaking of the fast) at sunset. Ramadan has traditionally been a time
of celebration for the Muslims; however, as many of you know since OIF I,
it has been a time of renewed fighting by the insurgents. I am happy to report,
because of the incredible performance of your Soldiers, that did not happen this Ramadan.

I attribute this relative calm to three things: Your Soldiers and the amazing persistence of the Battalion
to be out front making contact with the citizens of Northwest Rashid; our Iraqi
Security Force partners and Sons of Iraq (Neighborhood watch program)
which have done a terrific job of following our lead and getting out among the population
to ensure the citizens know they are on point keeping security;
and the economic growth that is happening throughout AO REGULARS.

I have talked a lot about the aggressiveness of the Battalion and I know that this has been the catalyst
for stability in our area but we have now put in over 4 million dollars in small business grants into the area.
These grants give the small business owners a chance to either improve or establish their business
and hire more employees to keep their businesses running. This along with the Essential Services Projects
that we have started in conjunction with the Government of Iraq has really helped to keep stability
moving forward. We have a long way to go but the people are seeing the progress.
More importantly they want the progress to happen and are willing to stand up to those
that want to hinder that progress. As you know we have either detained or pushed out
most of the insurgents in our area because of the aggressiveness of the Regulars.
However, insurgents do try and come back. The citizens use our tip line, more importantly
they use our ISF partner’s tip lines, and we detain them about as quick as they come into our area.
It is wonderful to see the citizens taking charge of their own destiny and move
forward to normalcy throughout the area.

Our area continues to be the most active throughout the Brigade’s area but it is due to our
offensive operations and the hard work of all of our Soldiers in the continued fight for intelligence.
As I told the Battalion last week, the enemy fears us but more importantly they fear the ISF as well.
Even more importantly the citizens are looking to the ISF to secure their neighborhoods. We continue
to push the ISF and they are responding. We are truly becoming “partners” in the security of
NW Rashid. I may sound like a broken record about the progress of our area, as this is our third deployment
to OIF we have all seen it and feel the tide turning toward progress. It is still a fragile peace
but the Regulars continue to attack on all fronts to make sure we do not fall back
into what we saw during our second rotation here.

Again we could never do this without your love and support
of your Soldier. I am amazed at the amount of mail I see every time I go back to FOB Falcon
and I can’t even begin to tell the importance of your commitment to your Soldier and what we are doing
over here. My biggest concern is that we become complacent or worse our Soldiers go out on patrol
not focused on the mission at hand. Your commitment to your Soldier helps to prevent that.
Knowing that all is okay at home is an incredible help to keeping us all focused every time we
“go outside the wire”. Although we know that life goes on while we are away it is always nice to know
that we are missed, and that everything is going to be okay. I know we are terrible at saying this,
but thank you for all that you are doing at home while we are away.

As I am sure all of you are aware our Brigade will move to Ft. Carson upon our return.
There are a lot of unanswered questions but information is beginning to come our way with the
“hows, the whens and the whos” of what all that means. I ask that you stay engaged with your FRG
as they continue to get information on how this is all going to take place. Please be patient.
The FRGs don’t have all the answers but they will do their very best to find out for you.
Here is what I know: The unit will move to Ft. Carson, not all of us will move to Ft. Carson,
those that do move will go in the summer months. That is not a lot of information, I know, but as we move
closer to our redeployment answers will come. Please do not hesitate to ask so no question goes
unanswered. Stay engaged with the FRG and as soon as they have answers they will pass it along.

Thanks again and may God bless all of you, the Soldiers of 1-22 IN,
and the United States of America.

The month of September seemed to go by fast, faster than the other months so far.
Though, it was also September that we saw our hottest days, not August like everyone expected.
The companies and platoons have all been driving on with their assigned missions. And
as always, every Soldier has been doing his or her part with the utmost professionalism and pride
for our Battalion. The following Soldiers are this month’s standouts.
They have gone above and beyond and will continue to do so, because they are Regulars, by God!

SPC Joseph Fernandez is a SAW gunner for 1st Platoon, Company A. He has shown great flexibility
in his duties as he switches between vehicle driver and vehicle gunner to cover down on his buddies
who are on leave. Either as a dismount, driver, or gunner, SPC Fernandez remains dedicated to mission accomplishment.

As a supply specialist for Company C, PFC Walson Florvilous distinguished himself by taking on
the huge task of filling in for his supply Sergeant while he was on leave. Normally this would be routine duty
for a PFC, but considering that his company is preparing for a change of command, company and supply room
inventories are essential in a proper change over with the Commander’s hand receipt. Plus, PFC Florvilous
maintained flawless resupply operations for his unit that is on a small outpost.

SGT Andrew Barnstable from Company D, 3rd Platoon, who recently transitioned from the HQs Platoon,
is a vehicle gunner on one of the platoon’s trucks. However, lately, he has distinguished himself
by leading other members of the platoon as a dismount element. He has eagerly taken on this new challenge
and shows his ‘can-do’ attitude as he personally leads as the point man on the patrols.
SGT Barnstable demonstrates competence in tackling this new job.

From Company E’s mechanic crew is SPC Patrick Westbrook. By working endless hours
to ensure that them company’s vehicles were running, SPC Westbrook has gone above and beyond.
Lately, he has been one of the main mechanics working on the new mine resistant vehicle.
Being a new vehicle in the fleet, it takes a lot of ‘figuring out’ to keep these vehicles fixed and running.
Besides his maintenance duties, SPC Westbrook also performs the crucial task
of securing the outpost while performing guard duty. It is clear to see that SPC Westbrook is one
of those Soldiers who can accomplish any task that you give him, a true combat multiplier.

SPC Jermahl Clark serves as a gunner for the Distro Platoon in Echo forward Support Company.
SPC Clark has performed over 60 Combat Logistic Patrols ensuring that all the Soldiers
positioned on one of the outposts continues to get supplied critically needed items. He also works with
his fellow gunners to improve on basic gunner’s skills in accordance with the platoon’s operating procedures.
Additionally, SPC Clark has helped distribute all of the ammunition
required for the Battalion to continue combat operations.

PFC Periman from the Scout Platoon in HHC distinguished himself by giving a class to his platoon
on the proper operation and employment of the 9mm pistol. He was given the task to prepare
and instruct the class in which he did with overwhelming confidence and professionalism.
A great feat from a young PFC.

The Soldiers that I have mentioned above will receive a Battalion Coin from me,
a very small token of appreciation to thank them for all of their hard work and dedication.
They are a big part of all the great things this Battalion is doing and they represent the Regulars very well.

Thank you for all that you do to support your Soldier and this Battalion.
God bless our Military, our Battalion, all of our families and God bless the United States.

Hammer 5

Hammer 7

Hammer friends and family, I’d like to take a minute and introduce myself: CPT Matthew Moosey,
the executive officer for HHC. CPT Holloway is on leave and I’m sure we all hope
that he gets some well earned rest and quality time with his family.

September has been a month of relief and reflection. Relief, in that it’s finally starting to show signs
of cooling down, much to the benefit of our hardworking Soldiers. Reflection in that each of us took a moment
or two on 9/11 to reflect on the past seven years since that fateful day; where we’ve been as an Army and as individuals.
Certainly a sobering feeling, but the Soldiers of HHC have remained steadfast and focused on the mission.

We are making significant progress throughout AO Regulars. In every area of W Rasheed,
Hammer Soldiers are making a positive impact in the daily lives of the people of Iraq. Schools are being repaired,
street lights are going up, and above all families are starting to return to their homes and
neighborhoods. As LTC Elledge said recently, “people are talking with their feet”.

This month we recognized several individuals for valor and meritorious service. SPC Joshua Robertson,
SPC Anthony Ugay, CPL Adam Perez, SPC James Benson, PFC Benjamin Rodriguez, SPC Stephen Monteverde
were all awarded the Army Commendation Medal for their professionalism in conducting
a major mission that resulted in a high profile criminal detained and turned over to the Iraqi justice system.

CPL Jairo Calidonio and PFC William Kim were awarded the Army Commendation Medal
with “Valor Device” for their valorous actions in the face of the enemy. The V-Device
is an uncommon feature that specifically demonstrates bravery in a hostile and difficult environment.
Both of these Soldiers demonstrate the true Warrior Etho and reflect tremendous credit
on themselves and on Hammer Company.

SFC Kenneth Griffin, one of our battalion’s most experienced and knowledgeable Armor NCOs
was awarded a rare distinction: the Order of St George. This medal is given by
the U.S. Army Armor Association to recognize a lifetime of service and commitment to the Armor branch.
SFC Griffin continues to show himself as a capable and highly professional NCO,
integral to our success as a company.

Finally, September is the last month that 1SG Christopher Dean will be with HHC.
Just a few days ago 1SG Dean received word that he was moving over to Alpha (Gator) Company.
Although he will be missed, we know that he will be a tremendous tactical asset for A Co.
His professionalism is beyond reproach and his positive impact on HHC will be felt for years to come.

I can’t thank each of you enough for the patience and resolve that you continue to demonstrate
on the home-front. Your hard work and sacrifice aren’t nearly as recognized,
but are certainly appreciated by all of us here. I am honored and humbled to be the XO for such a great company.

WOW! Has it ever cooled off . . . for the past few months it has been well over 120 degrees
and around 115 in the shade. Lately, it has been around 98 to 99 degrees and it feels WONDERFUL!

Above is the 1-22 Infantry Battalion Headquarters at FOB Falcon when it is dusty out.
In the naked eye we can’t see the dust, but it smells like dirt.

The other picture is 22 boxes that have been sent by the First Baptist Church of Port Natchez, TX
through Adopt-A-Chaplain program. Each month they send me between 15 and 20 boxes
totaling in over $300. The hot items lately are George Foreman Grills, where each location uses to cook egg rolls,
pizza, or sandwiches when they are hungry late at night or when chow isn’t ready.

As the temperature continues to drop, I am amazed at the lack of contact we have with the enemy.
I know our Soldiers on their first deployment can’t believe that this is combat. Yet, those on
their second or third time over here are glad for the peace and quiet.
All around our Area of Operation, significant acts are occurring. But in our AO, things have been calm
and I attribute this to the power of prayer from our Churches, and Moms and Dads for
the Regular Battalion. Jim Wallis once said We must no longer see prayer as preparation for action.
Prayer must be understood as action itself, a way of responding, and a potent spiritual weapon
to be used in spiritual warfare against the most powerful forces in the world.

Prayer is not undertaken instead of other actions, but as a foundation for all the rest of actions we take.
Not to say that other Battalions or Brigades are not being prayed for . . . but I find it ironic,
looking back in hind sight, how many times our deployment date was moved to the right
for various natural reasons. But, maybe in the spiritual realm, God was preparing
not only the Regular Battalion, but all of our families and spiritual base to get us all in the spiritual fight.