1st Battalion 22nd Infantry Unit Updatres May 2011 Page 2

This month brings us the last installment of the deployed newsletters and means that we are closer than ever to redeployment.
While in the back of everyone’s mind is going home to see loved ones, we all know that the mission is not over yet.
We are entering a very critical point of an upcoming relief in place with another unit during the traditional “fighting
season.” To make sure that we are setting up the next guys for success, we are increasing operations to disrupt and
destroy the enemy to allow our replacements time to get a foothold on operations throughout the district.

This month we have increased operations significantly, almost as fast as the temperature has risen. With this increase
in operations, we have had two opportunities to partner with the Afghan National Army (ANA) Commandos
and their Special Operations Mentors. The Commandos were able to bring additional numbers as well as superior
motivation and discipline to the fight allowing us to cover a significant amount of terrain quickly, helping us to disrupt
the Enemy’s operations.

We have seen an increase in enemy activity this month and have been successful in fighting it off; however the enemy
got a vote and on 28 April, they were successful in detonating an IED on one of 1st PLT’s trucks, which led to the truck
rolling over and some of our Soldiers sustaining injuries. Since then, PFC Southerland and CPL Aycock have been
returned to duty. PFC Gainey was sent back to the States and is doing well. He was released from the hospital and is
currently undergoing Physical Therapy. I know that all of the Soldiers miss their loved ones and are anxiously awaiting
the opportunity to see you upon their return.

The most anticipated month has finally come to an end… the last month. Only a few more weeks and you will start seeing
our Soldiers arriving back in Fort Carson. I know you are anticipating their arrival and sure that you have heard dates your
loved ones will be home. I ask you not to post any of that information on the internet. Those dates are subject to
change based on any number of possible unforeseen events. We have shipped a lot of our personal gear home and are
continuing to pack out the rest of our equipment that will be returning to Fort Carson. We started making room in our
living areas in preparation for the arrival of 2-8 IN. The Soldiers are working diligently to accomplish both their combat
mission and preparing for redeployment.

Able Company Soldiers have continued to improve the quality of life for the people in Kandahar City through constant
training and mentoring of their Afghan partners. At times this has been very frustrating and challenging, but our Soldiers
have overcame every obstacle and persevered. They can be proud of their accomplishments and what they are
going to turn over to 2/4 in the upcoming weeks. They will be leaving behind a year’s worth of sweat, blood and hard
work that has set the conditions for our brothers that fall in to our left.

I want to thank all the spouses and Family members of Able Company. Your deployment has been no easier than ours,
your challenges no less. You have been the foundation of our success and that of your Soldiers. We remain “Ready
and Able” because of the support you give.

I would like to congratulate SGT Valdez, CPL Stone and SPC Anderson for their upcoming promotions on 01 June 2011.

Finally, I would like to ask you to remember OPSEC, it’s not just for your Soldiers safety, but for yours as well.

Greetings to the Family and friends of 1st PLT, ABLE CO. Hopefully, this will be the last newsletter myself and SFC
Davis send out from Afghanistan. This long and arduous deployment is finally coming to an end; but until the day
we set our dusty boots on the fine rocky soil of Colorado 1st PLT will continue to bring the fight to the enemy and finish
our mission here in Afghanistan. Following an IED attack on the infamous Mir Bazaar Rd., CPL Aycock, SPC Ganey and
PFC Southern were all awarded the Purple Heart, thankfully PFC Southern and CPL Aycock all returned to CP 7-2
following some R&R at KAF. SPC Ganey could not return to us because of injuries sustained during the IED attack. He
flew back to the United States and is currently recovering, resting, and saying his prayers in San Antonio. All the Soldiers
keep in touch with him through FACEBOOK and frequent SKYPE calls. SPC Ganey’s first word to his mother
back in the States have become part of his living legend for the men in ABLE CO and truly embody SPC Ganey’s humor,
resiliency, and overall positive outlook on life. Following the first of many surgeries, SPC Ganey sustained on his
road to recovery he was given the opportunity to call his mother back in Illinois; SPC Ganey told his mother “to not
worry because his face was still be beautiful and she will still have grandkids.” SPC Shackleton, the PLT Medic, also
displayed his true colors following the IED attack. SPC Shackleton, with SGT Valdez and SPC Latta very close behind,
ran to the overturned MATV and immediately jumped on top of the still burning engine, putting out the
fire and without question saving the lives of all the men inside. SPC Shacleton joins a long list American of Soldiers,
stretching back to the Revolutionary War, who have saved their fellow Soldiers in combat with no regard for their own
safety. I am proud to report that SPC Anderson and CPL Stone all made points and will be promoted to SGT on
June 1st; SGT Valdez also worked hard to make points and will be promoted to SSG on the same day. SPC Stone and
SPC Anderson are both Weapon Squad Team Leaders and represent why so many people agree that TLs run the
Army. Although the past month has been very busy for 1st PLT some things never change, Afghanistan is still hot and
dust storm still really hurt your eyes. Since this is our last newsletter from Afghanistan I would like to take some time
to express my gratitude for all the ABLE CO FRG has done during this deployment. Their enthusiasm and loving sup-
port has made life much easier for all the men in 1st PLT. The men can not wait to replace hot sticky nights conducting
OP missions in the green zone with hot sticky nights spent BBQ at home. Thank you all for your support and see
you back in The Springs.

PFC Ganey getting his Purple Heart pinned

CPL Aycock, PFC Ganey and PFC Southern

PFC Bruce getting his End of Tour Award from Captain Calhoon

PFC Carr and Crunk; California "Pride"

As we reach the culmination of our deployment to Afghanistan, your Second Platoon “Vagabonds” prepare to relocate
once more -this time it is not to a remote outpost or a protected Kandahar Power Plant, but back into the arms of
Family, friends, and loved ones at Fort Carson. In the final weeks of combat patrols, your Soldiers remain focused on
the mission at hand. Partnering with Afghan National Security Forces, Second Platoon continues to discover enemy
weapons caches, seek out active enemy cells in our Area of Operations, and monitor all traffic entering and exiting
Kandahar City. Your Soldiers’ efforts continue to shape the future of Afghanistan and the security of our own nation.

The mission here is not yet over for us. Though we approach the end of the deployment, we do not forget our
ultimate task and purpose. Soon we all will breathe a little easier knowing that the last patrol is done, the incoming
unit has taken over, and the platoon is mission complete. Until then, we will stay alert and look forward with antici-
pation to the reunion that will soon take place.

During the past several weeks there has been an increase in activity, many of the Taliban decided to test the abilities
and determination of the “Vagabonds” needless to say they will not be making that mistake ever again. If you are
keeping track at home you can put a big checkmark in the “W” column. The end of the deployment has become all
apparent as we have packed and loaded our bags into containers, conducted reintegration training with the Chaplain
and have begun preparations for the incoming unit. We are all very excited to return home to our loved ones and
enjoy some much deserved quality “Family” time. Thank you for all of the support and prayer’s that you send our
way, it is greatly appreciated by all of us in Second Platoon.

SGT Holt and PFC Howers before a patrol

SPC Shackelton enrolling a volunteer into the HIIDES System

This is it, the home stretch! The men of Third Platoon (myself included) can't wait to come home. This month we containerized
our excess gear to be shipped out, one more block checked on the road home. SFC Mosteller and I are also busy
preparing Continuity Books, so that our replacements will have the benefit of 3rd Platoon's year of experience, without
having to learn the same lessons over again. That said, we still have a mission to accomplish here and we are working as hard
as ever. We have transitioned from a force protection role to actively patrolling. Our new mission schedule is taking us all
over the company Area of Operations. From the Platoon's old stomping grounds in Souf, to increased patrolling in Dara and
Yaklang, 3rd Platoon will have a wealth of information to pass on to our replacements.

As the summer progresses and the temperature spikes, rest assured that your Soldiers are adapting well. We drink water
like it's going out of style, and our consumption of Gatorade has probably driven its stock up at least two points. That's one
of the best things about being the PL for 3rd Platoon. Nobody has to tell the men to do the right thing; it's automatic for
them. None of them wants to be the one to fall out and risk the others.

On the subject of risk, the men know that they are close to coming home to you, their loved ones. They know that we are
short, but they are cutting no corners and taking no unnecessary risks. 3rd Platoon is coming home together!

Soldiers of 3rd Platoon, A Company, 1st Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team conducted street and
key leader engagement, agriculture assessments, and conduct mounted and dismounted combat patrols in the villages of
Dara, Mir Wais Mina, Asia Ye Chap, Kobay, Souf, Yak Lang, Bag -e-Pul, and Dorea. Every mission starts with a good plan.
Ideally, a mission would end successfully by executing that plan, but sometimes success depends on more than that. Sometimes
success is defined by the innate ability to adapt to inevitable situations and deviate from the plan to complete the mission’s
objectives. Before 3rd Platoon Soldiers leave Bag-e-Pul Power Plant, they were up two hours before mission preparing their
vehicles and equipment. The sun was relentless, the air is extremely hot and anything tied down to the trucks that was not
deemed secure after an inspection was the responsibility of the Soldier. These factors did not faze the Soldiers in the least.
Preparation was excellent. They had it down to a science, thorough, and efficient. In-depth preparation was the groundwork
for the platoon’s ability to adapt and perform during changing situations, something that would come up during their day-to-day
mission.

Soldiers spend the days exploring known areas of interest in Sub-District 7. The Soldiers deviated from their original
schedule with ease, observing the cultural significance of conducting their street and key leader engagement on a day-to-day
basis and used their time to conduct more dismounted combat patrols in Sub-District 7, Kandahar, Afghanistan. “If the
mission changes don’t waste time,” said PFC Stephen McKean, a Florida native, a M240B machine-gunner with 3rd Platoon.
“You’re out there, make something of it. You’ve only got so much time to secure your area, to learn the area, to learn who’s
around and who you can work with, so don’t waste the time. Just take what you’ve got and do what you can.” “I like going on
patrols for the fact that I get to go out with my guys. I’ll say it. It’s cliché but they’re my brothers,” said PFC Clifton Abreu, a
Tampa native. “Going outside the wire, doing what the average American is not going do, it puts it into perspective that life is
precious. You get to enjoy every moment. Like our Platoon Sergeant says, when we come back here, that’s a good day.” In
closing, we still have unfinished work to do here and we are staying focused on the mission, but we are counting down the
months until we are back home with you, our Families. I am proud of our platoon as we continue to live out our motto:
“Deeds not Words”.

The final days are upon us and it still seems like forever until we will be reunited with our loved ones back in Hawaii!
The temperature hits over 100 daily now. Nevertheless, our morale remains high and our partnership is
stronger than ever. We have been under 1-22 IN for al-most 10 months now and we could not be happier with all
the support and assistance we have received to complete our mission set here in Afghanistan.

The final months of our deployment have kept us extremely busy and constantly on our toes. We want to
make sure we pass off some great information to the unit who will be replacing us shortly so that progress with our
ANP partners can continue to grow and their capabilities will only get stronger. We have moved into a new compound
just next to our partners and we are building it from nothing. We named it “Camp Wilfahrt,” in memory of CPL
Andrew Wilfahrt who was killed on the 27th of February by an IED while conducting a dismounted patrol in our AO.

The move is for a few reasons. We want to try and get our ANP partners used to not solely relying on our resources.
We need to build them up to take responsibility and resource out the essentials for operating and “living” on their
own. I was not feeling confident for the longest time that my partners would be able to do this seeing as how they
constantly ask for fuel and water; resources that are absolutely vital to the ANP operating as a solid functioning force
against the Taliban. I feel that this move will help the ANP grow within their organization and when our replacing unit
continues this, it will only make the ANP stronger and more independent.

Our time here in Afghanistan has felt longer than a year deployment. Many obstacles have been thrown at the
Punisher Platoon; but we have conquered them all and have grown as a Platoon and as Soldiers. We thank all of
Able Company and 1-22 IN for all the support and guidance over the year. We have made some great friends and wish
you all the best in your future endeavors!

SSG Paredes conducts a meeting with ANP Commander
Faiz Mohammad

SGT Mitchell looks through his scope at something in
the distance while conducting a TCP at one of the
ANP Check Points

This is the final newsletter of our deployment. The guys are focused on finishing strong and preparing the next unit to
conduct a seamless transition. The last 30 days of a deployment tend to be tough, but we are prepared. Soldiers have been packing,
inventorying, and repacking during their habitual break times. Their patrolling has not slacked but increased to
ensure the gains made this year are not lost. They have done this despite 100 degree days and as always amaze
1SG and I with their discipline and professionalism.

This month we will hand out End of Tour Awards. These, the yearbooks, and the going away gifts (hats as of now)
will be mementos of the service Soldiers and their Families have given to their Country. The Chain of Command
can never compensate the Soldier or their Family to a level commiserate with their sacrifice. However these
simple items are meant to be reminders of what we did as a group and what you did as a Family, because your
Country needed you to. As always, the 1SG and I are grateful for your continued sacrifice and support for
your Soldier and Blackhawk Company.

Well our last full month has come and gone which is making us all happy. The Soldiers continue to excel everyday
with there missions, and COP improvement. The Company has been accounting for equipment and have the majority of
our containers packed up ready for shipment. At this point, all remaining Soldiers have returned from R&R and the company
is finally 100% on the ground again. The company now falls under 3-71 CAV the “Titans,” and have built a strong relationship
with the new Squadron during their first month in theater. As of right now Blackhawk block leave is on or about 7 July,
your husband has received guidance on buying airline tickets during the first 96 hours of block leave. The reason being is if
their flight shifts to the right 1 day it will change there leave dates, so I caution you on buying airline tickets before 10 July.
As you are well aware, we are under 30 days left in our deployment. Your husband is extremely busy here, still doing missions
and all the extras that come with redeployment. Our replacements will start to arrive at the end of May and continue coming
in till mid June. Your Soldier will go thru a 10 day relief in place with B CO, 2-8 Infantry, the majority of the company will
be pushed forward before our RIP is complete. The Soldiers have received their End of Tour awards, the NATO award and
a Certificate of Achievement from the Battalion Commander. The Soldiers of Blackhawk have done an outstanding job in
support of Operation Enduring Freedom. They will be leaving this country in much better shape then it was when we deployed.
You and your Soldier have so much to be proud of, just as the Commander and I are extremely proud of this company
and the ladies of Blackhawk. I am keeping the boys focused on the mission so we don’t have any complacency. If you are
having any issues with something I can fix, please email me. Order your yearbooks!!!

Lastly, Ladies thanks for all you do, nothing is harder than the job you are doing now. We will be home soon! As always I am honored
to have served you and your Soldier during this deployment and extremely proud to be BLACKHAWK 7. God bless you all!

Hello to all Headquarters Family and friends. For the past month Headquarters Platoon has been busy conducting
numerous Mounted Combat Patrols through out the Arghandab and Kandahar City ensuring that all of our
Soldiers are well equipped and taking leadership to meetings through out the AO. Despite the heat, Headquarters
Soldiers continue to work hard to ensure our JCOP and our equipment are properly maintained. As we get closer to
changing out with the incoming unit, it has been our goal to ensure that the equipment we will be handing over is in
as good shape as we can possibly get it in. More recently, Headquarters, along with personnel from each platoon,
worked to pack the majority of our equipment that is going home into the containers and is properly accounted for.
This is just one more sign that the end of our deployment is coming soon. Despite the time of us getting on the plane
home is becoming less and less, we remain focused on the mission at hand and ensuring that everyone remains safe
and that we all get on the plane at the same time. As always, we thank you for your continued love and support,
and we look forward to seeing you all as much as you look forward to seeing us in about a months time.

Hello from COP Durham in the Arghandab Valley. Once again, Headquarters Platoon was very busy during this last
full month here. Yes, this is our last full month here at COP Durham. We have already seen the last Soldiers return
from R&R leave and we are already really busy concentrating on redeployment tasks. Just a few days ago we packed
up the majority of our bags and the connex was sealed in preparation for shipping it home. We have also been busy
traveling around the battlefield with the Command Team having to attend numerous meetings concerning redeployment.
For the rest of the month of May, we will continue our daily routines of COP maintenance and battlefield circulation.

We also will continue preparations for redeployment and reintegration. We expect that the first of our
replacements will be here around the 1st of the month or sooner and following that we will have many days of
pouring over equipment preparing for the incoming unit to receive it. We also will be busy packing and repacking more
connexs full of our Company’s equipment that is to go home with us. As I said at the beginning of this letter, we
will be extremely busy but it is a good kind of busy because it means we are close to being done.

The past month has been riddled with change which created a demand for operational flexibility in many ways.
Temperatures continue to rise which adds to the difficulty of your Soldier’s daily patrols. With increased heat comes a
greater day-to-day presence of local farmers and city shop-keepers. Combining this activity with the Friday
“picknickers” creates a whole new atmosphere to develop and understand. New faces are seen daily throughout our
area of operations. Your Soldiers continue to do an excellent job of developing the human network and gaining the
support of the local populace.

As harvesting season approached, the fields and orchards began to change due to both natural growth and local
farming techniques. Pomegranate trees and wheat fields continue to grow and change the aesthetics of the area.
The ripening fruits create an opportunity for city shopkeepers to travel to the Arghandab to find a supplier for their
shop. This constant influx of locals forces your Soldiers to remain on their toes and focused on the task at hand. 1st
Platoon continues to adapt to the situation and drive on toward mission success.

Your Soldiers continue to work endlessly in order to prepare for the upcoming redeployment. As it approaches,
there are many tasks which must be accomplished in order to make a seamless transition with the incoming unit.
These tasks include cleaning, inventorying, and packing not only personal equipment, but platoon and company’s
equipment as well. This alone has Soldiers working day-in and day-out to prepare to come home. This must be done
on top of their patrols which are already extremely tiring.

This is not all that must be done to prepare for our move home. There are many personal things that must be coordinated
and accomplished in order to have a successful return. Apartments must be researched, phones reactivated,
bills paid, and much more. Please keep in mind how hard your Soldiers are working to have a smooth redeployment.

Once again, thank you for all that you are doing to support your Soldiers, your country, and the citizens of Afghanistan.

I am very proud of the SPARTAN Soldiers, as their Families should be as well. With the multitude of redeployment
tasks bearing down the Soldiers of 2nd Platoon and Bravo Company, everyone is keeping their wits about them and
their patience at an all time high. Redeployment from Afghanistan is turning out to be no easy task, by any means.
The SPARTANS are constantly working through the long , hot, and arduous days to better prepare equipment and
personal items for the return trips home, all the while maintaining their focused mentality of taking the fight to the enemy.
Preparing for the next unit’s arrival is the next largest item on the SPARTANS plate. Ensuring that every Soldier,
leader, and NCO knows the AO to the best of their knowl-edge is steadily becoming more accomplished. By the time
our replacements arrives, the SPARTANS should be more than capable in handing off the AO with a seamless transition
with no confusion. Everyday we are reminded of those that await our arrival back home. Along with the SPARTAN
battle buddies to our left and right, those cherished ones that await their Soldier returns, drives the men to hold
themselves to the standard, that which is the 1-22 Infantry Battalion, Bravo Company Blackhawks, and the SPARTAN
standard. Remain proud of your Soldiers each and every day, as they do their best to protect you. They thank you for
your support each and every day, and so do I.

As the deployment winds down, 2nd Platoon, has redoubled its efforts again. The Soldiers and Leaders are preparing the
men, weapons, and equipment for re-deployment while maintaining the heightened operational tempo. The
Spartans have spent the last few weeks cleaning, maintaining, packing, and accounting for all property for shipment
back to Fort Carson. As the weapons and equipment are shipped, Soldiers will focus on operations and the upcoming
Relief In Place and Transfer of Authority (RIP/TOA). Once our relief arrives, we will begin RIP/TOA in earnest. Soldiers will
begin to transition from COP Durham to staging locations along the path home. As your Soldier begins the transition
at home, Families need to remember that their may be communications gaps. In some locations Soldiers will be
purely in transit and may not have access or time to use telephones or the internet. This is a normal precursor to
redeployment. The Spartans will maintain a footprint on COP Durham until the last flight out of the Arghandab.
Their efforts will prepare our relief with the requisite knowledge and skills to assume our duties. The Spartan’s
Families should be extremely proud of their Soldier’s accomplishments over the last year and look forward to their return.

SGT Gideon and SPC Duncan pass out candy to the
children of Don Kalache

CPL Jones enrolls a farmer into the HIIDES
biometric system

PFC Mendoza provides overwatch

So this is the last newsletter before you Soldiers return home, pretty exciting I know. So this deployment is just a
few weeks out from being home and the Soldiers are staying busy with patrols and all the requirements that come
with redeploying. Soon, we’ll have Bravo Company, 2-8 IN, 2BCT, 4ID replacing us.

Your Soldiers are extremely motivated about finishing this deployment on a strong note, and their will to deny the
enemy safe haven in our Area of Operations that is stronger then ever. The Soldiers of third platoon, would
like to say Happy Mothers Day to all the mothers, wives, and sisters out there who have shown a endless amount of
support for your Soldiers. This deployment could not have been nearly as successful without the support and strength
of the women back home. So Family and friends stay motivated and get ready for your Soldiers to return home,
because they are extremely ready to return home and see you all. Thanks again!

SPC Fogel showing is hometown support for the
Philadelphia Flyers

SGT Simmons emplacing his guys in an over watch position

As you are reading this, we will be very close to redeploying back home to be with you, our beloved Families. While we are excited to
be back home, Cobra Company Soldiers and Leaders are driving hard to ensure we end the deployment correctly, with a great
hand-over to the next unit. Soon our replacements will begin to arrive, and the information sharing will begin. Our Soldiers
are becoming experts at multi-tasking and juggling multiple things at once in preparation for redeployment. Soldiers are
packing up their things, cleaning out the years worth of collected items in the tents, helping to make products for the
next unit to know all we have learned this year, and maintaining constant Combat Operations to keep the pressure on the
enemy. This truly is an art, and it keeps everyone very busy. I appreciate the hard work the Soldiers do daily to accomplish
all the tasks on hand and I ask for all the Family member’s patience as the tempo here increases.

Since the last newsletter, we have said goodbye to LT David Walker, the former 3rd Platoon Leader. I would like to thank
him for the dedication he showed to TM Cobra, his men, and the mission here in Afghanistan. With every farewell comes a
hail. I would like to welcome LT Anthony Chung, the new 3rd Platoon Leader in Cobra Company. He is the newest West
Point Officer in Cobra Company and has been doing a great job of continuing to lead the platoon to excellence.

Cobra Company Soldiers continue operations throughout Kandahar City. 1st Platoon has worked on a new living location,
moving down to a Police Substation to live with their ANP Partners. 2nd Platoon continues their operations with a heavy
focus on night operations, developing their ANCOP partners to have effective maneuvers at night. 3rd Platoon continues to
walk to and from the various villages in their area, training their partners and meeting the people. HQs is still stuck at
COP 9-1 with 1SG and I taking the brunt of the pack out responsibilities to allow the line platoons to focus on operations.
It truly is wonderful to have all the hard working and dedicated men that we have in Cobra Company.

Thank you for all the commitment, dedication, and support you all have shown to Cobra Company this year. We all look
forward to seeing you shortly!

It’s almost time for us to return home and the Soldiers are very excited as the time nears. They have been staying focus
to ensure that we have a smooth transition when our counterparts from Fort Carson replace us. The Soldiers continue
to conduct combat operations even as the weather starts to get warmer each week. They have
access to cold water to keep them hydrated to fight the heat of Afghanistan. All platoons have started to inventory equipment
and packing away personal belongings to make sure everything is accounted for before we begin our movement back home.
We recently had 3rd Platoon, L Troop, 4-2 Strykers leave us for redeployment back to Germany and gained 3rd Platoon, A Troop
5-1 Cav from Fort Wainwright, Alaska. That is a good sign because we are much closer to going home.

The word is out about the 1-22 Infantry Deployment Yearbook and I encourage each and every Soldier and Family member to
purchase one as a lot of hard work and energy has been put forward in making it a great product for Soldiers and Families to
look back on for years to come. SPC Morris has spent tireless hours in making Cobra Company section of the yearbook meet
the standard for the battalion. We had a few Soldiers attend the promotion board and were recommend for promotion to the
next grade. SGT (P) Halcrombe, SPC (P) Gonzalez, SPC (P) Richmond and SPC (P) Whitehurst all did an outstanding job
and CPT Hedtke and I are very proud to see Soldiers excel and take on the next level of responsibility in their military career.

As we are get closer to redeployment, there will be rumors of what dates Soldiers will be flying back to Fort Carson. I have
heard some of the rumors already and I can ensure you that for the most part they are not true. CPT Hedtke and I as well with
the FRG will try to limit the rumor control. We owe this to the families to make sure that accurate information as we receive it
is being communicated back to the Soldier’s Families. One thing that your Soldier will know is what Main Body flight he will be
flying on for redeployment. I will get that information to the Platoon Sergeants and the Soldiers would be able to
communicate that back you. Thank you for your continued support and keeping your Soldier focused on the mission out here.
We are almost done and your Soldier will be back with you soon.

Redeployment is right around the corner, but there is still much work to be done here at COP 9-1. We have officially sent
all Soldiers on leave and are now awaiting the time where pack out operations begin. As we begin to get everything
ready to head back to Fort Carson, it is important to reflect on the accomplishments HQ Platoon has made during our deployment.

These Soldiers have proved that whether they are asked to conduct normal day-to-day missions, force protection, recovery,
administration runs, dismounted patrols, or even mounted combat patrols, they will complete any mission and
achieve outstanding results when doing so. Any challenge is greeted with the desire to excel, even if it’s not the most
glamorous of missions.

Each and every Soldier here is ready to redeploy back and be with their loved ones. Being the professionals that they are,
they understand that there is still more to do in order to set up our replacements for success. HQ Platoon has been working
tirelessly on products that will allow our replacements to build upon the great success your Soldiers have achieved here
in Sub-District 9.

I am proud to say that each and every Soldier in this Platoon has grown from their experience here in Kandahar City. Seeing
people who lack basic human needs such as water and food have made everyone here more appreciative of what they
already have. This has allowed the Soldiers to become focused on helping these people and driving the Taliban from the area
allowing Afghans to grow and advance .

I would also like to take this opportunity to congratulate SGT Carnez Halcrombre in passing the Staff Sergeant promotion
board. He is a great Non-Commissioned Officer and will no doubt benefit the US Army with his leadership. Thank you all
for your unselfish and much needed support during this deployment.

Wow! Finally, the last newsletter. I’m excited because it means we are about 1 month from being home. Even less
by the time this is published. Most of the platoon will be home by the end of June. Some of us will stay behind because
of our knowledge of the area and daily operations, so we can help the unit replacing us. But don’t worry, the
few that have to remain behind like myself, SFC Belanger, SSG Eissens, and SGT Livingston will be home only a week or so later.

We are finishing up our preparations to move to PSS12, and should be living there before June. The hard work that
we have put into living there will greatly benefit the incoming platoon as they prepare to live there for most if not all
of the next year. It will also greatly increase the effectiveness of the ANP there since they will have us to help them
and mentor them everyday. I must warn you that your Soldiers will no longer have the connectivity that we have
enjoyed since we moved from Malajat at the end of last September. However we will have minutes for our cell
phones so they will still all be able to call home. Fortunately, we are almost done and before you know it we will be home.

Besides preparing to move to PSS12 in the last two months we have participated in two operations in District 9. Both
proved very successful. In the first, we were able to find a Sarapoza Prison escapee who had grenades and ANSF
uniforms in his house. In the second, our sister platoon Legion captured another high value target. You can be very proud
that everyday your Soldiers are having a huge impact on security in Afghanistan and helping to stop this insurgency.

Again thank you for all of your support this deployment, and we will see you all soon!

And here we are on the home stretch, though it seems like we have been reporting that for months now. The battalion
has begun to conduct its relief in place with TF 2-8 which means every day brings the Soldiers of Second Platoon
closer to you. In the last newsletter, I wrote to you all about the booming agricultural sector of the country and
though the platoon will miss pomegranate season before redeploying home, they have been able to enjoy other
fruits such as watermelon. The Afghan National Order Police (ANCOP) continues to grow as our partnered force
both professionally and personally. Within the first month of their tenure at Police Substation 3 the ANCOP have
seized countless amounts of illegal drugs and helped link the people to the government within District 3. The people
are unafraid to approach the patrol and seek out the assistance of the ANCOP for their problems. Our ANCOP partners
have shown great progress in the Afghan National Security Forces becoming a self sustaining force, which is a
major victory for the Soldiers who have mentored them for the past year here in Afghanistan.

A new daily occurrence with the sunny weather is that we have a soccer game played between Second Platoon, MPs,
ANCOP and the Afghan National Police. The games were started by SGT Dorado, SPC Gonzalez and SGT Johnson
with a few ANCOP and an interpreter and has quickly grown to a daily game with all residents of Police Substation 3
in participation. I know many of you are wondering, and yes, the American team has remained undefeated in
the Police Substation 3 league.

May has been a big month for promotions as the Platoon Sergeant, SSG (P) Ronald Wycoff was promoted to
Sergeant First Class effective May 1, 2011. Congratulations to our Platoon Sergeant! The Soldiers of Second Platoon have
also received their deployment awards, most receiving an Army Commendation Medal and all Soldiers receiving a
Certificate of Achievement awarding the NATO Medal and the Afghanistan Campaign Medal. Congratulations to all
the Soldiers on their hard work over the past year.

The light at the end of the tunnel is in sight but there are still many thing that we need to do before we get there,
namely finish our business here. We know how eager many of you are to see your Soldier again, many of these Soldiers
are just as eager. However, we must always remember to take one step at a time and not to get ahead of ourselves.

Specialist Arvizu conducts a dynamic maneuver to negotiate
a wall obstacle while conducting a dismounted patrol

Sergeant Dorado and Specialist Gonzalez rethink a new strategy
after the ANCOP score a goal. Staff Sergeant (P) Wycoff returns to the line

From left to right, PVT Derozario, "Keith" and SGT Johnson Sergeant Johnson
meet with Jan Ahn during a key leader engagement

First and foremost let me introduce myself. My name is 1LT Anthony Chung and I have taken over as 3 Charlie’s
Platoon Leader. It is an honor to serve with your sons, hus-bands, brothers, and fathers and they have already begun
to mentor me and help me on the way to becoming a successful Platoon Leader. I look forward on returning to Fort
Carson and making all of your acquaintances at company and platoon functions.

On that note, the men are definitely seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. One does not need to go far on the
checkpoint to hear the future plans and visits that your Soldiers have begun to make when they return home.
However, this does not distract the men from their mission or purpose here. The Soldiers remain highly motivated and
I have yet to see them fail in any mission given to them, no matter how small or big the task may be. Just this month
alone, the men have played crucial roles in many missions with other platoons and have performed flawlessly. The
streets and villages of Kandahar within 3rd Platoon’s AO are safer each night and the people are beginning to feel more
secure knowing that there are “rough men who stand ready to do violence on their behalf.”

The hustle and bustle of preparing to redeploy is upon us. The men are trying to consolidate a year’s deployment
worth of equipment, uniforms, and other items that they have accumulated down to the bare essentials they will
need to finish out the deployment. However, even the hassle of trying to inventory every piece of equipment on
our checkpoint won’t deter the Soldiers’ motivation. After a long day of patrols and monitoring the traffic control
point, the men still find time to crack smiles or pull pranks on one another as another day closer to going home comes to an end.

I hope you are as proud of the men of Third Platoon, the accomplishments they have done and continue to do out
here in Afghanistan. They are remarkable individuals who, once again, I have the honor of serving with. Continue to
keep marking those days down on your calendars….your Blue Devils will be home before you know it.

1LT Anthony Chung--------------- SFC Keith Mobley
Cobra 3-6----------------------------- Cobra 3-7

SGT Keller teaches the neighboring village
kids how to do the YMCA correctly

SSG Wisman reviews the route one more
time before beginning an evening patrol

Specialist Hostetler displays his ready position as he
maintains security for the\par rest of the patrol

Squad Leader, Sergeant Patton lets the rest of the patrol
knowhe is good while traversing
down a steep canal during a dismounted patrol