1st Battalion 22nd Infantry Unit Updates April 2011 Page 1

April was an incredibly dynamic month with just everything you could imagine, and then some, happening over the course
of the past 30 days. As you may have learned through the news, the enemy started their “spring offensive” focused on
separating us from the local population and trying to make us doubt our Afghan National Security Force partners.
With both of us fighting to win the support of the people of Kandahar, everything we do and every action we take are being measured
against the short and long term effects on the local population. The enemy’s method of using cruel acts of intimidation
coupled with the strong bonds we’ve built with the Kandahar populace are now paying off by turning the Kandahar population
against the enemy. Kandahar locals have helped with a significant number of cache finds while security forces have focused
their efforts on detaining key insurgent leaders and defeating spectacular attacks. You should be extremely proud
of the collective efforts of your Soldiers during the past month and the significant strides they continue to make in bringing security
to the people of Kandahar Province, Afghanistan.

Collectively, we did have one significant setback when the enemy broke into Sarapoza Prison and freed over 470 prisoners.
After being notified of the breakout, units from Task Force 1-22 were some of the first to respond and witness first hand
the complete failure of the prison guard force. Reminiscent of the ‘Great Escape’, the prison break highlighted just how far
we still have to go with the Rule of Law in Kandahar Province. Through our combined efforts, 71 prisoners were recaptured within the
first week of the escape. While mostly lower level fighters, we will continue our relentless pursuit of the remaining prisoners.

The recent news of Osama Bin Laden’s death marked a significant achievement in our war against terrorism.
Even though the news of his death at the hands of US Special Operations Forces caused very little noticeable reaction in the
Afghan people, I think it highlights the incredible commitment our country has made to bringing ultimate justice to those
that attacked us on 9-11. I also believe it strengthens our resolve to ensure the long term stability of Afghanistan
and prevent it from reemerging as a terrorist safehaven. We’ve committed a significant amount of national treasure to the mission
in Afghanistan and building capacity and capability within our ANSF and GIRoA partners is a cornerstone
of our commitment and key to them standing on their own as a strong nation. Our partners
have made momentous strides in bringing development and security to the people they serve at a
significant risk to their lives. I believe we are very close to the pinnacle of irreversible momentum…

but still have some tough days that lie ahead. So even though we welcome the news of Bin Laden's death, we continue with our
mission in the former Taliban stronghold and prepare for the arrival of 2-8 IN from Fort Carson, Colorado.
As we close in on our final month in Afghanistan, the entire force remains focused on finishing strong and building a solid foundation
for the units that will follow us into the fight. We’ve already begun a series of transitions with the first being the departure
of the outstanding troopers of L TRP/4-2 SCR and the arrival of A TRP/5-1 CAV from Alaska. It’s hard to express in words
what L TRP’s collective efforts have meant to Task Force 1-22’s overall mission success but the Officers, Non-commissioned Officers,
and Soldiers of L TRP can redeploy knowing that they have left an indelible mark on the people of western Kandahar City
and built tremendous capability in their partnered Afghan National Security Forces. The entire Task Force wishes them safe travels
as they redeploy to Vilseck, Germany.

With redeployment quickly approaching, I hope all of our Families have registered with the virtual FRG website to get updated
information on redeployment flights. All company level FRG leaders have tentative redeployment dates but, as usual, those are
all subject to change based on any number of factors. Our Rear-D leaders, CPT Brandon Chapman and SFC Clint Battaglia, will
have the most updated information and will establish a redeployment hotline for the latest flight and welcome home ceremony
information. I encourage each and every one of you to contact your company FRG leaders to ensure they have your most up to
date contact data and to know the procedures for returning flights and how to obtain Soldier arrival information.

I encourage you to purchase the Task Force Yearbook soon. The full color yearbook is currently $30 and will increase to $40 on
the 1st of June. Our yearbook has individual photos of each Soldier, Afghanistan action shots, platoon photos, our battalion history
to include our accomplishments in Afghanistan, our welcome home photos, and much more. Order now to preserve your
poignant memories of the deployment in OEF 10-11 for generations to come. With this being our next to last newsletter before
we redeploy, it’s hard to not become reflective of the incredible progress our Soldiers have made over this past year. Each and
every one of them should be understandably proud of the job they’ve done and the lives they’ve changed this past year. As I’ve
said time and time again, I remain awed by their incredibly selfless service and unquestioned sacrifice to accomplish our extremely
complex mission. May God continue to bless Task Force ‘Regulars’, our Soldiers, and our Families.

I want to thank you for welcoming me into HHC. My first month with the unit has been fast-paced and full-throttle as
the battalion looks to “finish strong.” Our missions to secure the population, build capability in our partnered
Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF), defeat the insurgency, connect the government to the people,
and improve the standard of living is not an easy one, but through the efforts of your Hammer Soldiers,
the Battalion has achieved great progress on all fronts. Working like a rented mule, the Battalion Staff
expertly assists Regular/Nemesis 6 to command and control the fight while simultaneously enabling company lethal
and nonlethal operations. The battalion medics have been fighting gastrointestinal insurgents and flies by making
our life support areas more sanitary. The cooks at ANCOP have stepped-up their game and now serve an option
of entrees at lunch while also keeping the dining room stocked with our favorite snacks. ACP continues to transit
the Commander safely across the area of operations and conducts force protection patrols around ANCOP to find
the enemy and to socially engage the locals. The Scouts opened-up the outdoor pool at Camp Nathan Smith for
the warm months ahead and patrol daily with the Brigade Commander and Command Sergeant Major. Mortar Platoon
is busy patrolling Malajat with their partnered ANSF. HQ PLT has made great strides in continuing improvements
to the force protection of ANCOP HQ.

Our great Family Readiness Group (FRG), led by Mrs. Lauren Spencer (wife of CPT Dave Spencer, Battalion Fire Support
Officer) and Mrs. Nicki Moser (wife of SGM Michael Moser, Battalion Operations Sergeant Major), stands
ready to inform and assist the Families of our Soldiers. I want to personally thank both of these ladies and our
many FRG volunteers for their countless hours of service to make our company as professional and friendly as it is.

Hammer Company has impressed me daily with its ability to simply get the job done. The Soldiers of this company
work well together as a team and are as dedicated and professional a unit as you will see in the Army. Be proud of
your Soldiers and thank you for your continued support.

Over the last month we have been busy making ANCOP HQ a better place to work and live. I would like
to take this opportunity to welcome CPT Ian Pitkin as the new HAMMER 6 and to welcome his wonderful Family to
the Hammer Nation. I would also like to welcome the Waeltz Family to the HHC ranks too.

During the last 30 days we have moved a lot of barriers and completely changed the ECP (Entry Control Point) in
order to make our Soldiers safer and to add the extra layers of protection that we need. We have had the Medical
Platoon building trash points and conducting Field Sanitation reports to try to keep the flies and sickness down.
Our S2 shop has been working away making new badges for our ANCOP partners. As a whole, the Hammer Family
on ANCOP have improved every area in the safety and quality of life here. We have recently moved the computer
and phone center to a new building and the S6 Soldiers helped to completely rewire all the computers. We
should have a few more computers up in the next weeks to give us a better ability to communicate home. The S3
shop continues to track the battalion in the fight, and they do it flawlessly, and SGT Shields has taken on the monster
task of emplacing the barriers with the Company XO. The FET is balancing force protection with their operational
requirements from the other Companies and are doing a great job at it while still helping with all the daily tasks
here on ANCOP. Our Maintenance section here is the best in the business and we continue the perfect record of a
truck only being down for a few hours before it is up and operational. As a whole, the Hammer Family is knocking
everything down task by task and I know we will “Finish Strong.”

To the Hammer Families, I personally want to thank you for the opportunity to work along side your Soldiers each
and everyday. They are the reason for the changes here and the true success of this Battalion.

Spring came in full force this month, changing the landscape from a dusty barren land to a luscious green one
with grasses and vegetables growing as well as trees with blossoming colorful flowers. The villagers are bustling with
activity in our area, harvesting onions to sell in Kandahar City and irrigating their fields both day and night. Many of
the Thunder Platoon’s patrols have our elements crossing knee deep or higher waters in irrigation ditches, and crossing
muddy fields to get to villages in our AO, creating some funny stories to reflect on back at the COB. The changes to
the terrain have affected everyone from SSG Harrington falling off a paddy dike into neck deep water, to PFC Pratt
ending up soaked every patrol. But the Mortar Platoon continues to work hard to deny the enemy the freedom to
move throughout our Company’s battle space. The heat has risen during the recent days, so the Soldiers have
needed to adapt by increasing their water intake as well as by wearing their cooler ACS tops.

This month the Battalion had the opportunity to recognize several officers through promotions, with our Platoon
Leader being among the ones to be promoted to Captain. Currently CPT Dunkin is with his Family back in Fort Carson
on leave along with SPC Hasch and PFC Zengri. SPC Chacon was also rewarded for his hard work and dedication by
being promoted to specialist. In addition to the promotions, the Mortar Platoon welcomed a new member to the
team with PV2 Derrick Bare joining the ranks. This was PV2 Bare’s first month in country and he has done an extraordinary
job adapting to the daily grind of patrols with no issues. This is mainly due to his peers training him on the
many weapon systems, squad movements, and mortar drills that he needs to be proficient with in order to succeed
here in Kandahar.

The Cartel element also had good news for their friends and Families back home with SPC Larranaga passing the
promotion board and reenlisting with SSG Nichols. Their reenlistment ceremony will be sometime in the near future.
To wrap things up, everyone in the Mortar Platoon would like to say thank you for their Families’ support
through these long hard months, and we cannot wait to see you all in a couple more months.

As the time dwindles down here in Afghanistan, we have started to look back at all our tasks, personal challenges,
accomplishments and achievements. Since our mail operations moved from KAF to FOB Walton, SPC Moore has done
a phenomenal job to ensure all mail is received from the KAF postal office, broken down to individual platoon and
company areas, then packed for distribution. His outstanding efforts caught the attention of the BN CSM during
a stop at Walton, and he was commended for his exceptional efforts. SPC Moore has performed marvelously as
the Senior Mail Clerk in charge of the BN’s Mail Operations at FOB Walton. When asked how he is handling the mail
operations, SPC Moore simply replies, “Sir, I just take it one day at a time.”

I would like to take this time to honor SPC Kenneth Wallace of Blackhawk Company for receiving an Army Achievement
Medal, being recognized by SSG(P) Feliciano, as the best Company Admin Clerk in the battalion. SPC Wallace’s assistance
significantly helped in all administration data collection and actions processing from B CO.

Even SSG(P) Feliciano and SSG Montano have been working extremely hard during their “off time” for self improvement.
Both outstanding NCOs are currently taking on-line college courses to improve their professional and personal
development. Their efforts in the office, and out, have amazed the senior leaders of this Task Force and inspired
peers and subordinates alike to pursue a higher education.

Besides working on college courses and all legal matters, SSG Montano and his fiancée Koreena recently published
their “Save the Dates” for their wedding this August. Though this is a MAJOR step forward in the wedding planning
phase, SSG Montano is now chest deep deciding on groomsmen's gifts, take away gifts, and which songs will
NOT be played during the reception. No wonder his work production suffered this month,… Nah, only kidding. SSG
Montano has done an outstanding job and kept the BN ahead on all 15-6 investigations and legal issues.

I hope everybody was celebrating on April 7th the same way we were celebrating. Of course, I mean celebrating
the Colorado Springs Sky Sox Opening Day game! We all were excited to root on our boys from the mountains and
streets of Afghanistan. Some of us even decided to dress up for the occasion and proudly displayed the colors of the
Sky Sox to our Afghan National Civil Order Police partners. Though the Sky Sox are only a Triple-A affiliate of the Colorado
Rockies MLB Team, they are and forever will be a team that provides a heightened sense of motivation to
the Regulars. The Sky Sox “Regulars” Crew are standing proud rooting, cheering, hooting and hollering for our
team, knowing one day we WILL be in that stadium once again causing chaos and mayhem to every Sky Sox opponent,
especially their first baseman.

CPT "El Jefe" Behler shows off some hometown pride on April 7th for the Sky Sox Opening Day

Look how happy and excited
SSG Montano and his fiancée Koreena are!

SPC Moore handling the Battalion's mail
"just one day at a time" and doing a great job

With the departure of SPC Grady for R&R, the home stretch becomes closer and closer as the Battalion enters
month nine of deployment. While SPC Soriano, SPC Williams, SPC Franks and PFC Erb (Herb) continue to refine
their “Balloon” flying abilities, SPC Grady is back home enjoying his hot tub and the beautiful scenery of Colorado Springs.

This month, the S2 shop continued to refine intelligence products to provide a better operating picture to the forces
on the ground. With over 150 assessments and countless slides this month, the section will most certainly burn out
the processers of their computers before the arrival of the 2nd Brigade Combat Team. 1LT Hall Wang continues to
successfully manage the interpreters, despite “Terp Crises” and other unforeseen mishaps which come with his rigorous
duty as the Detainee Operations Officer/Interpreter Manager (Terp Wrangler).

Through intense practice and vigorous boxing sessions, 1LT Hall Wang continues to refine his martial arts abilities on a
daily basis, taking down any punching bag (duffel bag) in his path. During their off time, the majority of the S2 can
typically be seen at the gym, getting “big.” 1LT Joshua Heifetz (recently proven to be the buffest member in the
shop) has recently picked up pace in his daily routine to ensure his body is physically fit and ready for the return
back to garrison. Other members of the shop can often be seen on the running track, dodging forklifts and water
trucks, as they battle the escalating spring temperatures.

At work, Soldiers and officers of this section continue to burn the midnight oil but are consistently able to keep
each other entertained through various jokes of monotony. Despite some late nights and long hours, the section morale
is at an all time high, likely attributed to the always improving gym, as well as various products and tasks that
keep them gainfully employed throughout the night-time hours. To assist the shop in their endeavors, the S2 shop
has annexed the STG team for additional man power and slide production. Aside from their slide expertise, the STG
team has successfully assisted the Task Force in capturing numerous dangerous individuals, and has spent the night
sleeping in the truck on countless occasions. With a solid routine and unyielding integrity, it is without a doubt that
the S2 section will continue to adamantly support the battle against terrorism from behind their Dell Latitude E6500s
until there are no Taliban left to fight in Kandahar City.

The change in seasons brings the hot weather and with it, our ever growing anticipation of our impending homecoming!
We are keeping busy with missions and helping with the continuous improvements on ANCOP. Our gym now
has a floor! And our MWR has moved to a larger more luxurious building, which now boasts televisions and video
game systems. Bonus jonas!

Three of our Soldiers: SPC Brooks, SPC Cotoio, and SPC Wray, were recognized by the outgoing Company Commander,
MAJ Garling. They were presented with impact Army Achievement Medals for their hard work and dedication
to the Unit. We also celebrated the re-enlistment of two Soldiers: SPC Wray and SSG Soto, who will both continue
to selflessly serve their Country above and beyond expectations.

We continue to trudge along on patrols, interacting with and aiding the local national women. Thanks to the wonderful
donations of our Families and other supportive folks and organizations back home, we are able to distribute
hygiene items, stuffed animals, candy, and baby clothes to the families we encounter.

FET will continue to work hard and keep busy until our final days in Afghanistan are over as we eagerly await our return home.

Happy Easter to all our Families from the S3! We hope that however it is that you decide to spend the holiday, that you
know you are in our thoughts and prayers. The month of April has been particularly challenging for the S3 shop due
to the absence of personnel within the TOC, due to mid – tour leave transitions, and due to current mission requirements.
But, as always, the Officers, NCO’s and Soldiers within the S3 covered down on their battle buddies and
made it happen. Supporting the companies operating out in sector requires attention to detail and the ability to think
outside the box. The systems that have been implemented continue to be refined and improved daily, allowing the
information to flow freely from the Company Command Posts to the Battalion Tactical Operations Center and back
down. As we continue to redefine our battle space and work with our ANSF partners to secure Kandahar City, we
look forward to our upcoming transfer of authority with 2nd BDE.

This month, we have welcomed some new Soldiers into the S3 ranks: PFC Martin, PV2 Crete, PV2 Hendricks and PV2
Vivas. Their addition to the team will help us out significantly for the remainder of our time here on station, and
we look forward to working with these Soldiers to see what they bring to the plate. SGT Hardt has redeployed to Fort
Carson for retirement and we wish him and his Family the best. PFC Ferguson from the FECC, who has been with us
for a few months, will transition to Dealer Company to assist them with their difficult mission in Malajat. His hard
work and dedication has been appreciated during his time here with the S3. His humor will surely be missed and I
know his battle buddy, PFC Olivo, will probably wander around for a few days like a lost puppy after he leaves. I’m
sure he will be fine though! Even though the majority of the S3 Soldiers have been home to see their Families, it
helps only a little as we return to Afghanistan to continue the mission. Many Soldiers come back from mid tour leave
and say the same thing, “It seems like it went by way too fast.” Despite that, we appreciate the opportunity we are
given to visit, even if only for a little while. Our many thanks go out to all the organizations and citizens back in
the U.S. that continue to support us while we are in Afghanistan. I know that while I was on mid tour leave, I had
several individuals walk up to me, shake my hand, and say “We appreciate what you are doing for us over there.” I
can’t speak for everyone, but I know that things like that make me feel like we are answering a “Higher Calling” and
motivate me to continue doing my job. Of course, nothing enables us more than the support and love we get from
our families back home. We think of you often and appreciate all that you do for us while we are away from you.
We are definitely able to stay focused on our mission here, knowing that the home front is being taken care of. Thank
you for all that you do back at home, and we look forward to our inevitable return in the near future.

The Plans Tent: CPT Huey, CPT Magri,
1LT Nakad, CPT Ingram, and 2LT Redding

One of our new Soldiers, PV2 Crete, learning how to
operate one of the many systems we use

SPC Iban sitting on top of the solar panels he installed to power the ANP radios

April has been an exciting and busy month for TF 1-22’s S4 section. We have begun preparation for re-deployment,
trying to insure moving back home will happen in a smooth seamless manner. Our goal is to make sure that all of the
companies can send their Soldiers on block leave and not need to worry about logistics while they are relaxing and
enjoying their time with their Families.

The S4 shop wants to welcome the newest member to the team, 1LT Lee. 1LT Lee came to us in early March and has
been doing an outstanding job working FLIPLs and discovering the difficulties of having to support a Task Force that
is spread out over all of Kandahar City. He has been working LOGSTATs daily to ensure that all of our locations have
the supplies they need. Travelling back and forth to KAF and working very closely with Brigade is making TF 1-22 the
best Battalion.

SSG Kincheloe has been working harder than ever with contracts and contractors to make ANCOP Headquarters a
better place for 2-8 IN, when they arrive. He is doing a great job making sure that the local national workers fulfill
their contracts in a timely and efficient manner. He is able to do this with constant oversight and loud motivational
speeches. His ability to motivate the local nationals is outstanding.

Pushing all supplies from our Battalion HUB, SFC Zelinsky and the team at KAF continue to drive and push everything
needed to include supplies, equipment, and personnel for our Soldiers to conduct operations. KAF ALOC has truly
become the go to team for TF 1-22 by their gathering resources, property, and requesting billets so when 2-8 IN
Soldiers arrive they have a place to stay. The KAF ALOC has definitely been the team we can turn to when we need to
find answers to any vital logistical questions that we may have. The KAF ALOC has made several interpersonal relationships
at all of the right places to get just about any job done.

The ANCOP ALOC has been working as hard as ever to continuously provide the high level of motivation the S4 shop
is known to provide. With re-deployment so close, we have been working harder than ever to make sure that all
tasks are taken care of in a timely manner. We have been sustaining the BN with much needed assets and working
with engineers to build the locations. We have also been working with HHC to build up ANCOP and ensure that it will
withstand any attacks.

Even though a few members of our team are saddened by the close of the football season, they are back to intense
interpersonal conversation about baseball, and how the Pirates are going to lose incredibly bad this year. We will
continue to support TF 1-22 logistically at all costs, to ensure we get our job done while exceeding all expectations.
I pray that our loved ones stay safe as we are still deployed, and that they are reminded that we will be coming back
home to them very soon. Once again, I am extremely proud of our team and what they have done so far and
what they will continue to do!

1LT Lee is a FLIPL extraordinaire and the newest member
to our team

SSG Kincheloe in the gym where he
has been supervising the construction

The Signal Soldiers continue to drive forward to continue winning and setting the stage for the incoming unit. We
would like to welcome newly arrived PVT Hendricks to the Battalion. He has done an outstanding job so far and has
learned his job quickly. While working with our partnered Afghan National Police in Kandahar City, we installed eight
solar powered radios at each of our partnered police substations. These radios have helped the Afghan Police to
communicate with their patrol units and the police headquarters. SPC Iban and PVT Hendricks did a great job installing
the radios. Even though this was the first time they worked with this particular model of Motorola VHF radio,
they quickly learned how to set up all the components and connect them together, which included the antenna, mast,
batteries, solar panels, and the radio. CPL McCann and SPC Hewett have been busy configuring network switches for
all the Company Headquarters in order to give them CXI network connectivity. This network will put us on one
common network, which will allow us to communicate more easily with our coalition partners. CPL McCann, with
little notice, took the required equipment and moved to Dealers CO CP to do the install. With a little troubleshooting
over the phone, he was finished in a day. SSG Barron and PFC Martinez got a combat tour of the Regulars AO
while updating the software on all of our 200+ Blue Force Trackers (BFT). It required updating each BFT’s computer
hard drive. With the help of the Company Signal Soldiers, this was completed in a week and we were the first battalion
in the Brigade to do this. We are proud of all the Signal Soldiers in the battalion and are impressed with their daily
accomplishments. We can count on them to get everything accomplished. As we move toward the end of our
deployment, we think about being reunited with our friends, Families and loved ones back home. We are thinking
about you and can’t wait to see you all. Thank you for your continued support.

This month, since 1LT Modlin is on leave, I’m writing the newsletter update. Hopefully 1LT isn’t getting too fat on
beer and good food. But, if he is, we’ll put the hurting on him through some great PT in the now hot Afghan weather.

First and foremost, I wanted to wish you each a happy Spring. Here, we’ve been watching as the weather has
turned from cool and wet to balmy and humid heat. Apparently, the Afghanistan we first met back in August is
coming back, which, while making the day-to-day harder to deal with, also means we’re closer to coming home.

As such, we’ve been unbelievably busy across the battlefield. From line medics walking patrols to the main aid
station conducting Afghan National Security Forces Health Clinics, 1-22 Medics have been making the difference.
Throughout Kandahar City, U.S. and Coalition Forces know that they have the best-trained and most professional
medical support team backing their every move and mission.

The medical platoon continues to grow. We’ve welcomed a few new Soldiers to our ranks: SPC Joe Kraemer and
SGT David Haugh. Their addition is well-welcomed since the work load has continued to increase. We’d also like to
extend a warm welcome to their Families.

To that end, I’d like to offer a personal thanks to each and every Blood Medic family. Your support has been invaluable
and remains the only steady bedrock in this ever-shifting war. Truly, without the many (what seem to you small)
emails, letters, packages, and words of encouragement you each provide, the day-to-day life of each 1-22
Medic would be so much harder. So, thank you.

On our end, all of us are looking forward to being home in a few months’ time. We can’t wait to spend time with each
and every one of you, and to be back in the greatest country in the world – America!
So, until that time, take care and know that we’re over here making the difference every day.

CPT Sacheli and CPL Waters take a moment away from winning the war for a picture

This month, we say goodbye to two key players in headquarters, SSG Dunkley and SSG Duszynski. SSG Dunkley
served as the company supply sergeant for over two years: one deployment to Iraq, our current Afghanistan deployment,
and the company’s move from Fort Hood to Fort Carson. He and SSG Duszynski are preparing themselves to
retire out of the Army and begin careers in what they call the “outside world.” Here’s to two hard working and dedicated
Soldiers who will make great American citizens; may your time in the Army help strengthen the community you
live in and work with. Thank you for your years of service to this institution, fellow Soldiers, and this unit. God Speed.

Retirees are just a few of the many changes we see here at ANCOP. We have installed our backscatter apparatus at
our entry control point. This device helps us to see, in a manner similar to an x-ray machine, what comes into our
compound before it enters our gate. The backscatter was just one part of the many changes at our ECP that have
strengthened our security. Our replacing unit will be proud and feel safe due to the hard work of our HQ section.
Along with a strengthened ECP, we have emplaced larger and more durable concrete barriers around our living quarters
for protection. Our small compound begins to expand as we get rid of all excess items and begin to remodel our
base for safety and efficiency. I would like to specifically thank SGT Shields, SSG Soto, SPC Metts and SPC Robinson
for their help accomplishing our difficult tasks mentioned above.

SPC Robinson pulling security as the x-ray van is put into place to add protection

April has come and gone, and I truly am thankful that this was a good month for the Soldiers and Family members of the 1st Battalion,
22nd Infantry Regiment. Over here, the Regulars have passed the time by going on lots of missions, pulling a lot of guard
duty, training and mentoring our Afghan counterparts, and working out in the gym in order to get those results that a lot of us
are going after.

Now that it’s May, we all can truthfully look at our watches and say that we will begin our journey home to Colorado Springs by
the end of next month. We all truly can and should be joyful and thankful to have made it this far in our deployment. The wonderful
Soldiers of our unit have accomplished much during these past 9 months, but we are not home yet. In our remaining
weeks let us, with all of our strength and devotion, seek to continue to fight the good fight and keep the faith in order that we
may finish this race.

How do we do this? We do this by realizing that though we can see the light at the end of the tunnel, we are not home yet. In
the days that follow, until all Regulars arrive in Colorado Springs, we must to do everything we can in order for us to successfully
and safely finish this deployment. For the Family members back home, this means hanging in there and continuing to do the
great jobs that you are doing back home for a little while longer. For the Regulars still over here, we must continue to execute
each and every mission to the fullest of our ability and ensure that we never allow complacency to set in. Our remaining time
here is short, but may we never forget that we are not home yet.

So may all of us, from the wonderfully supportive and loving Family and friends back home, to those of us who remain in Afghanistan
for a few more weeks, stay the course. Let us be encouraged that we are getting close to the end of our time apart,
but let us continue to fight the good fight and keep the faith until the race that is our deployment in Afghanistan is over.
Hang in there Regulars… the end is in sight!