1st Battalion 22nd Infantry Upadte October 2008 Page 1

Friends and Families of the Regulars,
Another month has come and gone in our deployment to Iraq and your Regulars continue to be on point
in securing Northwest Rashid. Bear and Dealer Companies continue to do an outstanding job in their areas
and for the units they are attached to. This month has brought some new milestones to the Battalion.

This month we had to say goodbye to Ryan and Diana Gavin as they gave up command of Copperhead
to Chris and Leah Watkins. Ryan and Diana have been a great command team for C Company and this Battalion.
I know that Copperhead has just been incredible in our most diverse area and with Diana and their son Ed
supporting Ryan he was able to stay focused on the mission at hand and led his Company
with distinction. As I have said before the only constant in the Army is change and we are very lucky
to have Chris and Leah on our team. Chris Watkins came to us from Division, and
was put in charge of Civil Military operations. He handled the contracts and projects that were overwhelming
at times as we tried to secure this area and rebuild its infrastructure as well. His leadership skills are tremendous
and I know he and Copperhead will continue to do great things in Hayy Jihad and Hayy Furat.
Chris and Leah, welcome to the Regulars.

The Battalion had a very distinguished guest visit the Regulars and patrol with us for a few days.
Oklahoma State Congressman Steve Russell, who was the Battalion Commander
of this great Battalion during OIF I, had an opportunity to stop by and visit with us and see
some of the “old timers” from the Battalion that served with him during our first rotation
to Operation Iraqi Freedom. After command, Senator Russell made probably one of
the hardest decisions he has ever had to make and retired from the Army and serve his country
and more importantly the Soldiers of our Army by telling Soldier’s stories around the nation and the
world. Long story short he decided to run and eventually won a Senate seat in Oklahoma’s State Legislature.
It is a truly fascinating story and he can tell it much better than I, but I am honored to be a part
of the lineage of Battalion Commanders like Senator Russell. Although he got a chance to visit with us,
his real mission was to see the changes in Tikrit, where the Battalion was positioned during OIF I.
He is ensuring that the true story of how we are and can win this war, is being told. I applaud him
for his selfless service to the State of Oklahoma, the Army and the Nation.

October was a month of spikes in activity. We would have spikes of violence in the area, we would take action,
and it would calm down again. Although we had a few spikes this month,the effectiveness of these acts
continue to decrease as this aggressive Battalion continues to put pressure on the enemy.
We continue to detain the enemy, chase him out of the area, and capture his
caches of ammunition that he continually tries to put back in. As I stated in last month’s newsletter,
I still believe the enemy fears us because of our aggressive actions and our determination to
hunt down the enemy. Although there were spikes of violence they were not against us. I feel that
they know that if they do try to attack us, the wrath of the Regulars will be soon to follow and that
is a huge price for them to pay. A price, as of late, they are unwilling to pay. I am just so proud of
our actions to date and I know that the people of our area know that we are doing everything we
can in conjunction with our Iraqi Security Force counterparts to keep the area secure. As we continue
to push the area to “normalcy” the citizens are truly beginning to take charge of their
neighborhoods and not put up with bad elements coming into their area. This has helped us to stay
after the enemy as they know there is no safe haven in Northwest Rashid.

As I have always said our Soldiers just couldn’t do this without your love and support of.
Every form of contact that they have with you gives them the strength to carry on and stay focused
and aggressive. I believe that because of your wonderful support our Soldiers work just that much
harder to make sure that this area becomes one of the most stable areas in all of Baghdad. Please
keep the letters, emails, and packages coming. They mean so much to all of us over here. Lastly,
stay engaged with the FRG. There have been some changes, but the core of the FRG continues to
be one of the strongest I have seen in my service in the Army. If you have a question, don’t be
afraid to ask. The FRG or the Rear Detachment command team will get you an answer.
Thanks again for all that you do in support of your Soldier. May God bless all of you, the
Soldiers of 1-22 IN, and the United States of America.
Deed not Words!!!
Regular 6

Our Soldiers are doing a tremendous job everyday.
It is because of their hard work and determination to complete the mission that each passing day
brings success and a continued brighter future for the citizens of Iraq. The stellar performances of the
great Soldiers listed below are examples of what everyone in this Battalion does daily. All of them
deserve to be recognized for their part in the Global War on Terrorism.

Serving in Bear Company, SPC Christopher ‘Doc’ Biggers went above and beyond his normal
daily scope of duties as a medic by being a ‘handy man’ for the 1SG. As B Co planned to move the
Company out to their new JSS, SPC Biggers spent numerous hours of his own time throughout the
month to prepare the living arrangements. He used his knowledge to build rooms, to rewire the building
after others had done it incorrectly and to build bunk beds so that the entire Company would fit out
at the JSS. His craftsmanship is equal to that of any professional builder and has stood up to the rigors
of holding an Infantry Company.

From Company C is SPC Harold Bacaarus, who now serves as an Infantry Fire Team Leader. His
recent selection to this position was based on his demonstrated technical and tactical proficiency, superb
potential for advancement, and qualities as a leader. He is a great asset to Green Platoon and
Team Copperhead. He has earned the respect of his peers, subordinates and superiors alike. I am also
proud to note that SPC Bacaarus will soon become a US citizen during a ceremony here next month.

Also serving as a medic, SPC Timothy Haas, who is assigned to 2nd Platoon, Dealer Company,
has not only done his job as a medic, but was also vital in assisting the Company in moving equipment
in preparation for their transition from one outpost to another. SPC Haas has prepared and helped move the
Company’s fleet of up-armored vehicles and tanks and has also been a vehicle driver, further demonstrating his
abilities to adapt to mission needs.

SSG Sean Wells, who serves in the HQ Platoon for Company E, has done an outstanding job since he arrived
in theater as a Route Clearance Platoon Squad Leader, a Sergeant of the Guard and general repair man.
SSG Wells is responsible for most of the upgrades to the Company’s outpost, to include dealing with Iraqi Contractors
on a daily basis. In the past 90 days he has worked diligently upgrading clearing barrels, making
required signs, cleaning up and getting rid of unneeded items and reinforcing our entry control point. His efforts
have clearly enhanced the security of Echo Company’s area and outpost.

Working as a Signal Support Specialist in Echo Forward Support Company is SPC Zanathan Canada.
SPC Canada’s communication support has enabled the Company to successfully complete
95 Combat Logistics Patrols, ensuring that all the moving elements are able to maintain voice communications
with their Company and their supported Company. This is evident in his ability to keep
the Company’s communication equipment at a 98% operational rate. The technical skills that SPC Canada
displays shows his vast diversity and exceeds that for which would be expected from a Soldier equal to his rank.

SGT Jonathan Roth is assigned to HHC and works in the Battalion Tactical Operations Center. He is a subject
matter expert in the set up and operation all of the computer and radio systems utilized by the Battalion Commander
to command the Battalion and communicate with Company Commanders and the Brigade Commander.
Obviously, a very important job. Because of SGT Roth’s demonstrated abilities, he has also been selected as the
Battalion’s forward deployed school NCO. His job will become even more important when we start to plan for
redeployment, ensuring that schooling requirements for the Battalion’s Soldiers will be met upon return.

I will present each one of these Regulars with a Battalion Coin as I move around the battle space. Each one
of them holds a very important place in the overall success of this Battalion, the BCT, the Division and ultimately,
the country of Iraq. They represent the commitment that our Soldiers have in completing this mission.
Thanks for supporting your Soldier and the Battalion.
God bless all of our families, our Battalion, all of our
military and God bless the United States.
Deeds, not Words,
~Regular 7

Hammer 6

Hammer 7

October is drawing to an end and it’s been a good month for the Hammers. This month we continue
to rotate our women and men through Environmental and Morale Leave (EML) and Freedom Rest.
I hope that this month has been productive for you folks at home; it certainly has been for us.

We welcome our latest editions to the Hammer family, Shawn Derrick Hines and Colton
Matheny. Shawn is the son of SSG and Mrs. Hines. He was born on September 16th,
weighed 7 lbs 15 oz, and was 20” long. We have it from a very reliable source (SSG
Hines) that he looks just like his dad. Colton is the son of CPT and Mrs. Matheny
and was born just two days before Dad went on EML. (If I’m missing any other new arrivals, please
let me know; I’d like to share your joy with all our families).

We welcome our latest editions to the Hammer family, Shawn Derrick Hines
and Colton Matheny. Shawn is the son of SSG and Mrs. Hines.
He was born on September 16th, weighed 7 lbs 15 oz, and was 20” long.
We have it from a very reliable source (SSG Hines) that he looks just like his dad.
Colton is the son of CPT and Mrs. Matheny and was born just two days
before Dad went on EML. (If I’m missing any other new arrivals, please
let me know; I’d like to share your joy with all our families).

This month we welcomed our incoming First Sergeant, 1SG Bryan Bandy who comes to us from
A Company. He’s been a great asset to the company and we’re fortunate to have him.
We also welcomed our new Mortar Platoon Leader, 2LT Gabriel Manis. He has taken the
reigns of the Mortar Platoon and is doing very well.

This month did have its thorns as we said farewell to our outgoing First Sergeant, 1SG Christopher Dean.
1SG Dean remained in the battalion and took the helm as the 1SG of A Company. We also saw the move of
our outgoing Mortar Platoon Leader, CPT Matt Thompson, but did not have to say farewell to him.
CPT Thompson remained in the company as he took the lead on the battalion’s Sons of Iraq (SOI) Program.

Promotions for this month included
1LT Matt Thompson of the Mortar Platoon, who was promoted to Captain and SSG Giardine of the
Medic Platoon Sergeant, who was promoted to Sergeant First Class. SGT Strickland of the Mortars was
promoted to Staff Sergeant and SPC Cheney of the S3 shop was promoted to Sergeant. Also in October we saw
four Soldiers laterally promoted to Corporal: SPC Thompson of the Fire Support Team, SPC Kittle of the S1
shop, SPC Guzman of the Scout Platoon, and SPC Schenk, also of the Scout Platoon.

Three of our Soldiers reenlisted this month, SPC DeVries,
SGT Delgado, and SPC Galan of the Medic Platoon.
We appreciate their decision and realize that when
a Soldier re- enlists, a whole family reenlists.
I appreciate the sacrifices that you folks at home
make for your Soldiers and for your country.

November will come with all its challenges and victories. I encourage you all to use the time constructively
and to, as the old saying goes, make lemonade out of your lemons.

As always we miss you all and keep you in our thoughts and prayers.
We couldn’t do this without you. Until next month, keep the Hammers in
your hearts and prayers and we will keep you in ours.
Melissa and I appreciate all you do.
Hammer 6.

I can’t believe fall is approaching (or should I say that it is here). Truly, everyday is the same
here; no weekends to separate the weekdays and no four days to look forward to. Since the last
time I wrote you, SSG Cortez has left AND returned from leave. Sorry, Amanda I need to borrow your husband
just a little bit longer. But I have to add in SSG Cortez absence, SPC Roberts did an
outstanding job as a Special Duty Chaplain Assistant; the Regulars and I both enjoyed his personality
and ministry he brought to the Soldiers. Before SSG Cortez left, he had received 15
boxes donated by his church to hand out to Soldiers who had received little or no mail. To my
surprise, a lot of our Soldiers have not been receiving mail. I asked one Soldier who received a box,
why his parents had not been sending him care packages? His reply was, they could only send him
one package per month due to financial reasons. I would like to remind everyone, when a Soldier
gets a care packages from home, it can only be compared to Christmas or a little piece of home
whether the package is big or small. So please keep the packages commin’! If you would like to
adopt a soldier please let me know at timothysimons@ yahoo.com.

Speaking of packages now is the time to be thinking of CHRISTMAS! The Shipment dates to
mail packages from the states to Iraq are as follows:
Parcel Post - 13 Nov, Space Available Mail – 27 Nov, Parcel Air Airlift – 1 Dec,
Priority Mail and 1st Class (letters and cards) – 4 Dec. And please learn from my mom,
who twenty something years ago , tried to FedEx a package to me when I
was stationed in Japan on the 20th of Dec so I would get it on Christmas Eve. She meant well,
but I got it on the 10th of January the following year.

Hope you have a blessed day and we will be
thinking of you during the Thanksgiving weekend.
God Bless you and yours.
I AM
REGULARS BY GOD!