1st Battalion 22nd Infantry Update Dec 08 Page 2

(Gator 6)

(Gator 7)

Holiday Greetings from Joint Security Station (JSS) Aamel!
I hope this finds everyone with a warm holiday spirit and a renewed strength and outlook
as we head into the New Year. This month has seen the emergence of our new Joint Operations Center,
a cold change in weather, several promotions and reenlistments, and a large influx of packages
and support of which we are all very grateful and appreciative!

Joint Security Station Aamel was the new name that we assumed recently for our same base
when we developed and activated our Joint Operations Center (JOC).
The JOC is merely a location on our compound where Coalition Forces from A Company and Iraqi
Security Forces from 3-1 Mechanized National Police work together to share information concerning
events that occur in our areas of Baghdad that overlap. This capability enables us to communicate
more efficiently and through this sharing of information we are able to create a common picture
between our two units that enable us to be more effective in our response to criminal or suspect activity.

This new JOC is the wave of the future for units in our area and is yet another very important step in assisting
the Iraqi Security Forces to attain self-sufficiency. Not to worry though, this new name is a formality
to highlight our base’s new capability and will not change any mailing addresses nor affect
where your loved ones have been living during the deployment thus far.

The weather here in Baghdad has become quite cold over the last few weeks as I’m sure many of you have
heard from your loved ones. This time last year as we were preparing for an earlier deployment it even
snowed in Baghdad, which was the first time in about 20 years that they have even seen snow.
I’m sure it seems comical that we are all bundled up in the desert trying to stay warm at
40° temperature weather, but if you consider that we have all been acclimatized
at temperatures of 120°+ for most of the year, this sudden 80° drop in temperature chills us real quick.
Though rest assured the Army has provided us with very good cold weather clothing; it just adds a little
more weight for us all to carry around on patrols.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the A Company FRG, Friends and Family, and various other
community support groups that have all sent us packages for the holidays. Everything from pre-lit Christmas
trees, to mountains of snacks, to Oakley tactical gloves, to creature comfort items that make the base
feel like home have been graciously received by the Gators and have really made our holiday season bright.
It is sincerely heartwarming on mail days when there are stacks of boxes, letters,
and packages so thick that we can’t even walk through our front area. The guys quickly organize like ants
and disperse the packages to their rightful owners and then our front area turns into a ghost town as the
guys all settle into all their packages and mail in their living areas. Our base literally takes on a new feel on
mail days and I can see it in the faces of all your loved ones.

You must know that it’s your outpouring of support that keeps us all going. Though it often times goes
unmentioned and is certainly under recognized, the support that you all selflessly offer makes You
the most important member of the Gator Team. The packages you send help us make JSS Aamel
a ‘home away from home’ and the letters and emails help remind us on a daily basis that we are serving
here in Iraq to preserve our way of life and hopefully enable Iraqis to enjoy the same in the years to come.
Thank you!

This month we have seen several promotions of our great Gator Soldiers! These men have earned these new ranks
through their display of hard work and perseverance during this deployment.
Please help us in congratulating the following:

SGT Robert Sisson
SPC Dawit Yoseph
PFC Sergio Diaz
PFC Robert Flores
PFC Nicholas Moore
PFC George Wilson

The Gator Reenlistments have seen a large increase this month. Our reenlistees have received several great
bonuses and opportunities for their dedication and commitment to service. The important point is that each and
every one of these reenlistees is a bonus to this company and the Army as a whole. The experience and work
ethic that will be maintained in the Army within each of these Gator Soldiers will only serve to make our organization
better overall as they continue to fill leadership positions across the ranks. We are honored to preserve
these top tier Soldiers in this profession and we thank them and their families for their commitment to excellence.
Please join us in congratulating and thanking them for their desire to continue to serve:

SSG William Lopez
SSG Harold Rodriguez
SGT Oscar Esquibel
SGT Joseph Hudson
SGT Rernardo Livingston
SGT Bo Van Nguyen
SPC Damon Crutcher
SPC Christopher Dean
SPC Joseph Fernandez
SPC Matthew Ferrera
PFC Justin Barker
PFC Jeff Morel
PFC Jason Whitting

As we move into the New Year I only ask that you continue to remain vigilant and strong in support of your
family members and friends as you have done so well this entire deployment. The light is at the end of the tunnel
and we are working hard to remain focused on our tasks at hand and to not get complacent during our remaining
time here. You all will be inundated with information about redeployment over these next few months
but please do not listen or believe all the different rumors that you will hear. Official information and changes
will be emailed or phoned from me to Mrs. Rachel Hostetler and she will disseminate the information as soon as
her schedule permits. If you have any questions please direct them to her and she will answer them the best she
can and send those that she can’t answer to me in a timely manner. Thanks again for all
your thoughts, prayers, and support. From the deployed Gator Family, we wish you all a very happy holiday
season. Take care and be safe!

CPT Ed Kennedy (Bear 6)

1SG Cameron (Bear 7)

To the families and friends of Bear Company,
That’s ten months down for the Bears on quite an adventurous deployment.
I know there are a lot of rumors out there and redeployment classes are being planned back at Fort Hood,
but remember we cannot put too much out over non-secure means like email and the telephone,
but as we get closer we’ll make sure you know when your Soldier will be home. Until that time comes though,
we are staying focused on the mission and there is a lot to do building up the JSS we operate from
and out in our new OE partnering with the Iraqi Security Forces.

So what is JSS Sadiyah like? Well it is a little smaller then the last JSS we were at, JSS Adl,
and a few of our “comfort items” have been cut back but the men are making the best of it.
The ADVON led by 1SG Eric Cameron did a great job expanding the walls and moving in a lot of equipment.
Since then, our JSS Mayor, SSG Aerial Sally has taken over and done a phenomenal job.
SSG Sally has organized the local national workers to get a lot done for the company.

We now have some very respectable MWR areas to include a phone and computer café,
a TV/ DVD room and a separate room with an XBOX game station for the guys to relax and unwind
or take out their aggression in the heated “Call of Duty” battles that have ensued. They even managed
to get 1SG and I to sit down for a game… not being the most avid gamers I think our efforts
were best described as “free chicken.” The few things we have help make the time pass
and give the guys some relief when not out doing great things on patrol or securing the JSS.

Although not at JSS Sadiyah, Bear White Platoon has been doing a great job attached to Delta Company
in Shurta out of JSS Risalah. I keep getting reports from the Delta company chain of command
about the job SFC Paul Marler and the rest of the platoon are doing developing informants, finding caches
and detaining targets. Again, they are Bears so I’d expect nothing less, but I’m still proud to hear
about how great they are doing.

Our tank platoon from Delta has been doing a great job securing 1SG and me around the battlefield.
Being a commander’s PSD is not a glorious job by any means, but is absolutely critical
to get anything accomplished. SFC William Lisica and SSG David Martinez are doing a great job
while their LT is on leave. I don’t have to worry about a thing with patrol preparation or security;
I know the tankers have my back and will get the job done. I am impressed with their performance
and their professionalism… of course they are part of the Bear team so I’d expect nothing less.

I do want to take a minute to recognize one of our outstanding leaders, SSG Travis Coley.
He recently competed in the Brigade Soldier of the Year Board and was head and shoulders above
the rest of the other competitors. He won the board and then represented the Bears, the Regular Battalion,
and the Raider Brigade at the Division Soldier of the Year Board. This was a remarkable feat and I am very proud
to have a Bear squad leader receiving such honors and competing at the division level.

This past month we had a few more promotions and I want to congratulate the following Soldiers:
• Private Second Class Edgar Gonzalez to Private First Class
• Private Second Class Blake Cramer to Private First Class
• Private Second Class Kevin Skvarna to Private First Class
• Private First Class John Breese to Specialist

The Bears had a significant role in the Battalion meeting its reenlistment mission this month as one
of only two companies in the Battalion to meet our mission. The Bears continued to lead the way and
go well above our mission helping the Battalion to meet its mission. I would like to congratulate the
following Soldiers and their families for deciding to reenlist and to continue their careers in the Army:
• PVT Miles Palmer
• PVT Ian Tierney
• PFC James Chambers
• PFC Andrew Day (attached tanker)
• PFC Leon Perry
• SPC Daniel Hanlon
• SPC Matthew Wells
• SSG Jameon Avery
• SSG Michael Benton
• SSG Travis Coley
• SSG Mynor Rivera

Melissa Marler is still the Bear FRG Leader, please do not hesitate to email her.
She recently was recognized for her efforts with an invitation to attend a
conference in Washington, DC for FRG Leaders, I know she represented the Bears and the Regulars
well. Please make sure she has your most up to date contact information, as we get closer to redeployment,
you’ll get the latest updates from her.

The Bears continue to excel in everything they do and I could not be more proud of their accomplishments
individually and as a whole. This is a great company and I am extremely proud and honored
to have had the opportunity to be their commander. Please continue to keep all of the Bears in
your thoughts and prayers.
Captain Ed Kennedy (Bear 6)

Snake 6

Snake 7

Christmas is here and the Soldier’s spirits are high. With the months flying by,
this Christmas season is more than welcome.

Charlie Company‘s Soldiers are continuing their hard work on Patrol. They are working
more side-by-side with the Iraqi Security Forces, helping them with every day operations.
We can really see a difference since we’ve made this our main effort. The platoons are placing
the Iraqi Soldiers up-front and in charge of the daily missions. The local community is beginning
to trust the Iraqi Army more, as well. Since the Local Nationals see us with them, the
level of trust is increased thus increasing the communication between the two. This increasing
level of trust is what we are striving for. We’ve also seen improvements in Iraqi Army
with them becoming more independent. Our Mechanics are even teaching their Iraqi counterparts,
on a routine basis. It’s a common sight to see an Iraqi Humvee on blocks in the motor pool
with the Charlie Mechanics working directly with the Iraqi Army mechanics.
Both are getting their hands dirty, as usual.

As Christmas approached, the care packages rolled in with what seemed like massive quantities.
The mail room is always full of boxes for Soldiers. We’ve had cookies and baked goods sent
as well as fake Christmas trees. With our stomachs full of chocolate chip cookies
and homemade fudge, the Christmas spirit is definitely in the air. Thank you, Mrs. Jones for the
great stockings for all the Soldiers on Christmas day. Not a single Soldier was left without a
gift. Your hand work and thoughts are greatly appreciated. Also, a special thanks to The Ladies
of Grace Episcopal Church. The blankets they sent to us were put in the hands of some very
needing families. Some families do not have hard structured homes and with temperatures as
low as the 40s at night, it can get extremely cold. They were very appreciative of these gifts.

Toys and school supplies were also given to the children of the families.
A local Iraqi even spent the time to decorate our Dining Facility here at the JSS.
Even though she brought only “congratulations” and “happy birthday” balloons, the thought is
what really matters. All of the Soldiers got at least a smile out of the low-hanging, multi-colored
streamers which hung from the ceiling.

Mid tour leave is finally coming to an end. We just recently sent our last Soldier off.
With everyone to be completed soon, our overall numbers will increase.
This will help take a lot of stress off of Soldiers and spread the workload a little more evenly.

Thank you for all of your support and prayers from home. We all know it is harder for you than
it is for us, over here. The Soldiers of Copperhead appreciate everything you do.