1st Battalion 22nd Infantry News Update Aug-Sept 2010 Page 2

1st Battalion 22nd Infantry

1st Battalion Newsletter

August/September 2010

A Company, B Company, C Company

Hello Families and Friends of Gator Company,

August has been a busy and exciting month, as the Soldiers of Alpha Company deployed to Afghanistan
and relieved Delta Company, 1-508th Parachute Infantry Regiment of the 82nd Airborne Division.
The Gators are now spread over the western portion of Kandahar City and have become attuned to our new area
of operations.

Our living arrangements have proven comfortable, and we share the same bases and the same missions with
our partnered units of the Afghan National Civil Order Police (ANCOP). These units are considered the most
professional in the country, and it is an honor to work with them daily.

Our missions with the ANCOP include many types of patrols. We conduct traffic control point operations,
where we assist in interdicting insurgents and entering locals into world-wide biometrics system.
The Soldiers conduct reconnaissance and surveillance patrols to deny insurgents any freedom to move undisrupted.
We also patrol simply to meet and build relationships with the many good-natured Afghans we live amongst.

Across the company, the Gators have been successful in both their combat missions and in forming friendly
relationships with the villages they protect. It amazes me that even in the relentless pursuit of insurgents,
our Soldiers continue to respect their role as local ambassadors of our nation’s goodwill.

Many thanks to our friends, families, and our wonderful FRG back home. Your continued support and
encouragement keep our company team strong and we are grateful for the sacrifices you make while we are away.
Our thoughts of you will always be among our strongest motivations as we continue our missions in Afghanistan.

IAN C. PITKIN
CPT, IN
Commanding

Family and Friends of Gator Company,

I cannot be happier in all of the efforts the Soldiers have put forth since our arrival in Afghanistan.
The areas around Kandahar City that we operate in were greatly enhanced by our outgoing counterparts
in the 82nd, and we thank them for their efforts. Since our arrival, the company has been working to improve
on force protection and security measures, making it safer for us. This task will be an ongoing mission throughout
the time we will be here. Our Soldiers will always be looking to improve their living conditions.

Some of the platoons have experienced a little more hardship as for living conditions than others,
but for the most part we have been pretty lucky. Becoming accustomed to the sights, sounds, and smells
of our new environment can be challenging, but the Soldiers are doing well.

Having the ability for the guys to communicate back home was one of our fist projects that we wanted to get up
and running. I know how important it is to the Soldiers to be able to contact a familiar voice from back home,
and how much it can actually keep their minds focused on what they need to do here. We have just one platoon
that we still are working on to get Spawar, and it will soon be up and running.

I would like to say thank you to all of the supporters of my Soldiers. I know that it is very difficult on both sides
to be apart. I know that without your support these men would find it a little more difficult. It is going to be
a long road ahead. I just ask you to hang in there with us. This mission and the success of the unit aren’t just
on these men here. Everyone back home plays a part, and together we will succeed over this deployment.

Again, thank you.
DAVID J. STOEN 1SG, USA First Sergeant

First Platoon is working very hard conducting Traffic Control Point (TCP) Operations at Checkpoint 7-10.
We spend at least fifteen hours a day at our checkpoint and check at a minimum of 2,000 vehicles a day.
Our job is to keep the enemy from entering the city of Kandahar from the west. We have had several VIPs come visit our checkpoint in the last few weeks, including Sen. John Kerry and GEN Petraeus.

The men of First Platoon also work very hard every day to improve living conditions and our security.
SFC Davis has been working to get us showers with running water and another tent so our men will not be
too crowded. We now have internet and phones, so you should be hearing from your loved ones quite often.
Hopefully we will have television capabilities soon so the guys will be able to watch football in their off time.
Please continue to send your loved ones mail and packages as nothing lifts the spirit quite like mail.

The men of 2/A/1-22IN, working as members of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF),
have begun to settle into their positions within Checkpoint 7-4, Sub-district 7, Kandahar, Afghanistan.
Here they have continued to build upon the check point left by the 82nd Airborne, and are working
to establish themselves with the Host Nation Forces and familiarize themselves with the surrounding towns
of Kobay and Neuday.

CP 7-4 is able to support many of the more basic aspects of comfortable living as the Soldiers are able to sleep
in squad sized air conditioned tents with cots and plywood floors. Electricity, along with limited access to internet
and telephones, allow them to periodically contact loved ones back home, while plans are in the works
to expand these capabilities. Shower and laundry facilities are limited, though they are still available,
and the Soldiers are able to eat one hot meal a day, with mail service bringing packages on a weekly basis.

Operations within CP 7-4 have most Soldiers working six to twelve hours of guard and Traffic Control Operations
per day, with additional time devoted to dismounted patrols, check point improvement, and physical fitness.
Soldiers’ free time is limited, though they still have opportunities for hygiene, correspondence with home, and rest.

Families and Friends of Third Herd,

Our journey to Afghanistan started with sincere goodbyes. After many miles, we have finally arrived in one piece,
and are collectively situated on a prime piece of real estate- Checkpoint 7-2 in southwest Kandahar City.

Similar to Colorado Springs, there’s a dominating mountain on one side and green fields on the other side
consisting of grapes, pomegranates, and melons. Our neighbors, the villagers of Souf, Mirbazaar, and East Kobay,
are nestled in the very homes their forefathers were born in, and are hard-working and humble,
owed to their agricultural backgrounds.

Our mission here is simple: protect the people, and stop insurgents from entering Kandahar City.
All the men in the platoon are settling in just fine. While the luxuries of home are rare, and the voices of loved ones
even rarer, the men work with a sense of purpose, and are quick to move to the sounds of a fight
to protect their brothers in arms.

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Blackhawk Families,

AUGUST

Obviously this has been a tumultuous few months. Beginning with a flight to Maine where we were encouraged
by the VFW, then on to Romania where we weren’t, and then to Kyrgyzstan. The Army adage of hurry up and wait
was very apparent, but the men remained disciplined and ready to do their job. This message comes from
Police Sub Station 8 in a little suburb of Kandahar. Many of the men are at 2 other locations doing a similar mission
but I'll tell you that they are doing their duty every day and the Company is doing well and working very hard
to make sure we achieve the mission in the safest manner possible. Hopefully you have seen pictures of some
of the things that we are doing such as handing out candy to kids, and patrolling with the Afghan Police forces.

I can’t say enough about the job Blackhawk is doing. There isn’t a lot of down time that’s for sure,
and that’s battalion wide. And often there is no way to communicate with home but know the 1SG is working very hard
to get the Soldiers living condition better and better. Bottom line, the men are working very hard out here, we patrol,
we pull guard, we eat, and we sleep…some. The families have been very supportive and I appreciate that.
Your words of encouragement and confidence are very important at this time and they will be
throughout the deployment. Thank You.

SEPTEMBER

We just returned from a major operation in southern Kandahar, which some of you may have seen on the news.
We partnered with Delta company and hundreds of Afghan security forces to clear out the Taliban
from an area the size of Colorado Springs. Blackhawk was very successful throughout, despite the conditions
and the best efforts of the Taliban. Our training and discipline is paying off. Every echelon of our Brigade
and higher is proud of the job your loved ones did. They are also the talk of Kandahar, as many locals
doubted our ability to defeat that enemy.

We were extremely saddened by the tragedy in Delta Company as 1LT Mark Nosiska and SSG Casey Grochowiak
made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of their nation and the people of southern Afghanistan.
Their families need to be in all of our thoughts and prayers.

Sincerely,
CPT Rudy
Blackhawk 6

Hello fellow Blackhawk families,

Hope all is well in the states. Your spouses continue to excel at everything they do here in Kandahar.
Our Headquarters and 3rd Platoon are located at PSS8, 1st Platoon is at Checkpoint 8-1, and 2nd Platoon
at Checkpoint 9-1. The soldiers have just come off of major operations in southern Kandahar City, where they
were recognized at the highest levels of leadership for their actions. They are currently back at their Platoon Headquarters
refitting for daily missions. The leadership has worked daily at their locations to give your soldier the best
possible living conditions they can have at this time. Every Platoon has at least 1 DSN phone for morale
and 1 computer with internet connection. With our current connection, soldiers have no access to Facebook,
MySpace, etc., unless they have a mission that sends them to Kandahar Airfield. We currently have 2 Platoons
that have SPAWARE equipment but have been waiting on a technician to show up at those sites. The Commander
and I continue to work to get the phones and computers up and running, but at this time the Soldiers only have access
to a few phones and internet to make morale calls and emails. I will not stop my efforts until each Platoon
has adequate phones and computers to contact their loved ones. The soldiers have done such a great job
on all aspects of our mission; I am so proud of them, and I’m sure you are too.

We will start sending Soldiers home in October for R&R leave; your loved one will know a month out of
exact dates of their leave, but they do know now the month of their leave. Unfortunately, with some of our losses
within the Brigade, the rumors have started back in the rear. If something does happen within our Company,
you will be contacted by Rear Detachment or FRG; so if you see something on the internet,
it’s most likely not accurate information. It’s really upsetting to all of us that rumors would be sent over the internet.
The soldiers understand that if something happens, there is a blackout on our end until the family is contacted.
So please don’t start rumors, respect the family members of the Blackhawk Company.
Please contact me if there are any issues you need me to get involved with. As always, it is such an honor
to be the First Sergeant of this great Company. Take care for now, and thanks for your support.

1SG John Cutter
Blackhawk 7

Good day family and friends,

Thank you for taking the time to read this newsletter, as we wish to keep you informed on the men’s progress.
The Blackhawks have been doing an excellent job over here in Afghanistan, working hard and keeping strong.
The Headquarters platoon has been staying motivated and facilitating the company’s mission through their
continued perseverance and strong will. As soon as the Blackhawk company arrived in Afghanistan,
the Headquarters platoon worked quickly and diligently to place the company on its feet; since then,
they have enabled the company’s success and progress. Please remember, though, that much of these men’s
motivation is heightened by your efforts; so please don’t hesitate to send letters, emails, calls, and packages.
The men love receiving anything from you guys, and it makes us a more motivated, stronger force.
Thank you all for your messages and packages thus far; they are greatly appreciated and produce the largest smiles
on the men’s faces. We will continue to write and keep all of you informed. Blackhawks – “Fear No Man.”

Blackhawk 2
2LT Michael Weidel

Hello to all the family and friends of 1st platoon Blackhawk company.

We hope this letter finds you well. We apologize for the possible lack of communication you may have recently
experienced with your soldier, as he settles into a schedule here at checkpoint 8-1; it will be resolved soon,
as we receive our Spaware MWR package and get it up and running. Because our checkpoint was only
occupied for a couple months before we arrived, we are having to set up things like MWR ourselves, and it takes time.
Once the Spaware is functional, communications back home with loved ones should be no problem.

Everyone is doing well. After all of 1st platoon arrived at Kandahar Airfield, we completed our mandatory
reception training, such as the vehicle rollover machine. Once that training was completed, we pushed out
from Kandahar Airfield and began our relief-in-place with 4th Brigade of the 82nd Airborne Division.
Upon arriving to Checkpoint 8-1 we were surprised to learn that our home is actually a converted bathhouse,
which was constructed in 2004 and was abandoned shortly thereafter. It’s small, but cozy. We have hot breakfast
and dinner every day (lunch is an individual affair; we have plenty of available snacks and the like)
as well as showers. It gets more and more livable every day as we employ local Afghans to do work
and improve our position. The 82nd also introduced us to the Afghan National Civil Order Police, or ANCOP,
with whom we will be working jointly on a daily basis. The ANCOP, along with the Afghan National Army
and Afghan National Police, are the soldiers to which we will eventually pass the torch of defending
the Afghan people from the Taliban, once they are properly trained and capable. We actively train and patrol
with them every day. They are very motivated, and they work well with our guys.

Please continue to support your soldier with whatever means you can; everything is appreciated. Know that
your soldier’s life is in good hands, and that his chain-of-command will do its utmost to care for and protect him.

Hello Families,

JULY-AUGUST

2nd Platoon has been busy since leaving for Afghanistan. Since flying into Kandahar Air Field (KAF),
your soldiers have been learning about both the new equipment we have available and what the enemy is capable of.
One training event was a rollover trainer which was similar to a carnival ride designed to look like a military
vehicle’s cabin. The trainer spins you 360 degrees or more and comes to a stop at different angles so that
you learn to exit the vehicle in extreme situations. We also walked an IED training lane in which we were shown
examples of what the enemy uses and how they emplace them. This will be of great benefit during our stay in Afghanistan.
Currently, 2nd Platoon is assisting Afghan national forces, known as ANCOP, in running a checkpoint.
Our partners are very patriotic and appreciate your soldiers sacrifice to come half way round the world
to fight with them. 2nd Platoon is living pretty well here. Our COP has an outdoor gym, limited internet,
phones, and running showers with hot and (almost) cold water. We are grateful to our families for all the support
they are giving us and look forward to the end of this year long endeavor to aid the people of Afghanistan.

SEPTEMBER

2nd Platoon has been busy improving our COP, and our relationships with the ANCOP, and our neighbors alike.
Your soldiers framed all the tents, built doors to keep out the dust, and even built a new tower. The soldiers
have been working hard on these projects and their efforts show in the quality of their construction.
We have also been working with our ANCOP partners. The ANCOP have invited soldiers to share meals with them.
Afghan food is tasty, but very different from US food. They commonly eat beans and rice, Nana (flat bread),
Okra, and other vegetables. They are generous with their food, despite having very little of it. We conducted
a partnered patrol to meet the civilians who live near our COP. We met with the workers at the gravel quarry
who live near our COP. They were glad to meet us, and happy that we were providing for their security.
2nd platoon will continue to build improvements to our location as well as improve our relationship
with the ANCOP and our neighbors over the coming weeks.

Hello family and friends.

Thanks for taking the time to read this newsletter as we try to keep you up to date. So first, let me start off
and say what an awesome job your guys are doing. The driving motivation behind their work ethic is the support
that you all continue to provide day in and day out, whether it’s a phone call that says you miss them,
or a care package filled with reminders of the States. The men have adjusted well, and are a focused fighting force
capable of accomplishing any mission thrown at them. Recently, the Outlaws conducted a mission that lasted
a little over two weeks, which included living in a mud hut and burning the MRE boxes at night to warm them up
a little. Once again, the Outlaws performed well and continued to hinder the enemy’s ability to operate effectively
against them. A direct quote from the BN CDR; “Third platoon is on it.” Some other personal accomplishments
from the Outlaws include PV2 Dahlman being promoted to PFC, as well as PV2 Reed and PV2 Tan
being promoted to the rank of PFC. So thank you again for the support that you all continue to provide
to the Outlaws, and the sacrifices that you as families continue to make.

Blackhawk 36
1LT John G. Gonzales

Blackhawk 37’s Words of Wisdom
“Keep the care packages coming”

**********************

Howdy Cobra Families!

1SG and I hope this finds all of you doing well 1 month into our deployment. Let me be the first to tell you
that your Soldiers in Cobra Company are doing a great job here in Afghanistan with this tough mission.
Cobra has platoons throughout Kandahar city, doing various tasks the platoons wrote about for this newsletter.
Our family has grown; the Mortar Platoon and an Engineer Platoon from the Special Troops Battalion
have been attached to the Cobra Company to assist in our operations. It is great to have them join us;
for all of you reading this, welcome to the Cobra Family.

As we look around now, we are ensuring that our Soldiers are established for the rest of the deployment.
Showers, sinks, hot chow, A/C, gyms and MWR packages (phones, CPUs) are all things that make a difference
in how effective we will be here. 1SG and I will continue to make sure we can improve on these to allow Soldiers
to focus on the mission. Also, mail has started to arrive, and that is always a good thing. It is amazing
how a piece of mail can lift someone’s spirits.

We have a tough mission ahead of us here in Afghanistan, and all of you have a tough mission at home too.
We have trained well for this deployment, and that has shown already. We will continue to do our jobs well,
and focus on making a difference here in Kandahar city. As things get tougher at home, I urge you all
to continue with FRG, and create friendships to last past this deployment. Together, we will continue
through this deployment.

Thank you for all your continued support,
Isaac J. Hedtke
Cobra Commander

HQ Platoon Article
By 2LT Kyle Hackbarth, FSO

Hello friends and Families of headquarters platoon.

We are pleased to finally get a moment to let you know how we are doing. Headquarters has finally started
to get into a rhythm and for the most part everyone is settled in. We are still waiting for some of our HQ members
to deploy and look forward to them arriving. We are especially happy that SGT Halcrombe celebrated the birth
of Braylon Everett on 30 July 2010. We are also working on implementing systems within our tactical
operations center and company intelligence team that will help keep Cobra Company operations safely running.

We are currently located at COB Hotel California on the eastern side of the city. Just so you all know
the showers and power work most of the time and we just recently got the Spawar package here so many of you
have probably already got to talk to your husband’s either through Facebook, Skype or even maybe just
an old fashion phone call. Mail is moving pretty fast compared to what we all believed it would take
and we are getting it. That being said please remember to send any packages for the holiday season early
because remember “we all love holiday cookies.”

Headquarters platoon is currently supporting operations for all three Cobra Company platoons along
with the Regular Mortar Platoon and a platoon of engineers from 1 STB. The company mid-tour leave is
currently slated to start in October even though no dates have been finalized. We are working hard to ensure
that we can inform you of your loved ones dates so you can start making plans. We look forward to
seeing all of you soon please keep us in your thoughts and prayers.

ON PATROL IN AFGHANISTAN
by 1st Lt. Tyler Bryant, 2nd Platoon Leader

Already on the ground in Afghanistan for a month 2nd Platoon has been working hard to build relationships
with the Afghan National Civil Operating Police (ANCOP) and the citizens of Afghanistan. As the advanced party
started filtering into Hotel California we linked up with a platoon from 4th Brigade Combat Team,
82nd Airborne Division and learned what our job was going to be. Assigned to checkpoint 5-2
of the Security Ring Protection Force (SRPF), we were responsible for one of the most highly traveled routes
into Kandahar City, Highway 4.

Looking to ensure security first, leaders in 2nd Platoon analyzed the structures at checkpoint 5-2 and developed
plans to increase protection in the case of an attack. Spending on average 10 to 12 hours a day in the heat,
it is extremely important to keep the Soldiers as safe as possible so they can focus on training the ANCOP.
At the checkpoint 2nd Platoon Soldiers partner with ANCOP Soldiers at the individual level to provide security,
search personnel and vehicles, talk to the citizens who are being searched, and enter people into the HIIDE
biometrics system. Many of the people we talk to are happy to have the increased security of the checkpoint
even though it is an inconvenience for them to be stopped and searched.

In addition to doing checkpoint operations we go out on the streets of Kandahar City and talk to people
at the markets or bazaars. Many of our missions are focused an talking to people using our interpreters
and gathering intelligence from them as they see more criminal activities then we ever do. Everyone likes talking
to the American’s and the ANCOP and often thank us for helping make their city more secure.
When we are walking around we always attract huge crowds of children. They enjoy walking with us
and playing games with the Soldiers. Pvt. Waylon Stone is one of their favorites; he has a way
with the kids of Afghanistan. “The kids love me,” said Pvt. Stone.

Birthdays and other celebrations that Soldiers do not get to spend with their friends or families are one
of the hardest parts of the deployment. As a platoon we celebrated many birthdays in August. Pvt. Nicolas Noga
turned 22 on August 8th, Sgt. Jeffrey Johnson turned 25 on August 10th, and SSG. Patrick Wutzke turned 26
on August 28th. Sgt. Jose Dorado would like to wish his wife Roxi a Happy Birthday on August 10th as well.
1st Lt. Tyler Bryant and his spouse Michelle celebrated their 2nd wedding anniversary on August 21st.

We also had some good news of a new baby coming to 2nd Platoon. Pvt. Christopher Metzler and his wife Julia
are pregnant with their second child. We look forward to adding this little bundle of joy to the platoon next spring.
At the end of a long day of patrols Soldiers finally get the chance to relax, take showers, call home,
and clean their laundry. Without the luxury of a washing machine, Soldiers are relearning how to wash their clothes.
Simple things like personal hygiene become much more difficult now that we are living in a third world country.
“Being here makes me realize how much I have in America,” said Pvt. Armando Sanchez. “I am definitely blessed.”
The best part of every Soldiers day is when they get to use the phones and hear their loved ones
on the other end of the line.

Overall the platoon has been doing very well. We are aggressively accomplishing our mission to secure
the people of Kandahar City. We appreciate all of the loving letters and care packages that have been sent
and thank everyone for their support. We would like to leave this update with some of the Soldiers
first impressions of Afghanistan.
“The kids here are friendly,” said Spc. Michael “Doc” Gonzalez. “They go nuts over pens.”
“The kabobs here are better than Iraq,” said SSG. Eric Patton.
“It’s hot and dusty,” said Pvt. Tyler Kreft.
“They use soap here,” said Justin Sims. “It is a lot cleaner than Iraq.”
“I want to give up my citizenship and move to Afghanistan because this place is amazing.
The people are nice and I love how the sand blows in the air. Their water is great too,” said Spc. Jacob Bartlett.
“It doesn’t smell as bad as Iraq and the living conditions are much better,” said Sgt Calvin Pendergrass.
“Drivers don’t ride your bumper here,” said Pvt. Chris Metzler. “It could be the green lasers
or maybe the machine guns on top of our trucks.”
“I’m living the dream,” said Pvt. Jacob Combs.

Sappers, C Co, 1-22 INF

4th platoon would like to introduce ourselves to the Regular BN. We came from 1st Special Troops BN
and are now part of Cobra Company, 1-22 Infantry. 4th Platoon is a combat engineer PLT and is excited
to bring our knowledge and presence to Cobra Company. We are starting to imbed ourselves with our Afghan partners,
and help to train and increase their soldiering knowledge. We are getting into a steady rhythm and getting situated
with our fellow soldiers at Hotel California.

The Sapper element would like to say hello to all the family members and friends back at home.
We want to say that that we miss you, and can’t wait to see you again after our important mission here
is accomplished. Until then, we appreciate all the love, care, and mail that you have been sending.

“Sappers Lead the Way!”

ANCOP Brigade Headquarters, Kandahar City, Afghanistan
By 2LT David Walker, 3rd Platoon Leader, C Co / 1-22 INF

A little over a month after its first soldiers began to depart the United States, the Third Platoon
of Charlie Company, 1-22 INF is beginning to settle into its role as a partner to Afghanistan National Police’s
elite special unit, the Afghan National Civil Order Police (ANCOP). Shortly after its main body reached
Kandahar Airfield, the major air transport hub for the Kandahar region and one of the largest coalition bases
in the country, the platoon was informed that it had been chosen to act as the battalion’s “mobile reserve.”
Instead of the expected checkpoint mission, Third Platoon’s mission would now be to flex to whatever piece
of the battalion’s mission required extra special attention; its area of operations would consist of all
of Kandahar City and its responsibility would expand dramatically. Naturally, the platoon leapt at
the increased responsibility as an opportunity for greater success.

The ANCOP Brigade Headquarters, where Three Charlie shares living space with the 1-22 Battalion headquarters
as well as roughly two-hundred ANCOP partners, is Spartan. It lies on the border region of the outskirts
of Kandahar City where rivers and valleys foster lush vegetation that competes with the overwhelming dust
of the mountains and deserts. Surrounding it are humble villages where roosters crow each morning
and locals gather milk from the udders of theirs cows daily. These villages are also filled with enthusiastic
children who are all but fascinated by the American soldiers that patrol their streets. When they’re not responding
to crises elsewhere, the soldiers of Third Platoon have been conducting regular foot patrols into these villages.

As the battalion starts to become more comfortable in Kandahar City, its operational tempo will increase.
Until that time, Three Charlie has been acting as a ready Quick Reaction Force. Fortunately, no major crises
have developed that have required the full attention of the battalion’s mobile reserve. The soldiers have been
kept busy, however, because our partnership with the ANCOP is a full-time job of mentoring,
training and cross-cultural communication. All members of the platoon have been forced to face challenges
such as speaking through an interpreter, consuming unusual but often delicious food, or managing
the differing expectations of partnership that result from the vast cultural gap between us and our partners

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