1st Battalion 22nd Infantry UNit Update Aug-Sep 2010 Page 3

1st Battalion 22nd Infantry

1st Battalion Newsletter

August/September 2010

D Company, FSC, Rear Detachment

Dealer Company Families and Friends,

The first month in Afghanistan proved eventful for Dealer Company. We achieved success on the battlefield
as we cleared a traditional enemy stronghold, but also experienced tragedy as we lost 1LT Mark Noziska
and SSG Casey Grochowiak. Those two young men represent the finest leaders with whom I have ever served.

Upon arrival to Afghanistan, we hit the ground running. For the first couple of weeks we conducted a transition
with the unit we replaced. We spent time discussing what actions they used that worked, and what actions
they used that didn’t. During this transitional period, we also signed for a collection of equipment that will help us
complete our mission. All things considered, that process proceeded without issue. Once completed with
the transition we occupied three different locations that bordered Kandahar City to the south.

Platoons occupied fortified positions and shared these positions with elements of the Afghan National Security
Forces. 1ST Platoon occupied Area Control Station (ACS) 5. This location proves the most remote as it is
furthest from the city. Not to worry, however; that location provides Soldiers with excellent living conditions.
1ST Platoon partnered with the Afghan National Civil Order Police (ANCOP). 2ND Platoon occupied Area
Control Station (ACS) 2. Their position proves closer to the city than ACS 5 as it is directly south of one
of Kandahar City’s largest bazaars. ACS 2 is quaint and extremely defendable as 2PLT has discovered
on a couple of occasions. 3RD Platoon set within the confines of the Provincial Reserve. This compound
not only includes US and ANCOP Soldiers, but also elements of the Afghan National Police force.
In fact, the reserve force of Police live within the walls of the Provincial Reserve. The Company Headquarters
element also initially set at the Provincial Reserve.

During the first few weeks all Platoons executed dismounted patrols around their bases. These patrols
required partnership with their Afghan Security Forces, and forced Soldiers to interact with the local population.
They also continued to fortify their bases, by adding material and construction to their defensive perimeters.
All locations settled in as best they could given the austere conditions. I am proud of your Soldiers
as they welcomed the challenges and overcame the obstacles.

In late August we received the mission to clear an area called Malajat, a traditional enemy stronghold.
History teaches us that when the Soviet Union occupied Afghanistan, its Soldiers attempted to clear this area,
but met with failure each time. Dealer Company did not share the same fate. We successfully cleared the region
of enemy fighters. During this operation your Soldiers provided security to those local residents that so
desperately requested it. Upon numerous occasions, local villagers would approach us and explain how glad
they were to know that Coalition Forces along with our Afghan partners vowed to remove enemy forces.
Our success allowed those local villagers to return to their farm lands and continue working without fear
of reprisal from Taliban elements.

The mission lasted for 10 days. Your Soldier carried heavy ruck sacks in the heat of the Afghan summer.
We received helicopter resupplies and established strong points in abandoned compounds. I am rather certain
that each Soldier came to appreciate the value of a cold drink as we consumed plenty of warm bottled water.
We slept on the ground and chased the shade during the day as we completed our operation. Please understand
that our operation received attention at the highest levels of both the Afghan and American governments.
Our operation will contribute to the success in Kandahar City. You must remember that.
Your Soldier was a part of a historical operation. You should be extremely proud.

Following our operation, the Company returned to our fortified locations with a couple of changes.
2ND Platoon returned to ACS-2, and enjoys the best cook in the Company. Just ask them…they’ll tell you.
3RD Platoon moved from the Provincial Reserve to ACS-5 to assume the mission at the southwest portion
of our sector. 1ST Platoon and the Company Headquarters have moved to a new location. We will stage inside
of a school and await construction of our new home, ACS-4. Navy Engineers, or Seabees, will construct
our new base from scratch. This will prove monumental for this area as we bring security to the local villagers.

We continue to fight the communication issue. Please understand that we are working as best we can to ensure
that your Soldier has the capability to contact you at home. It’s not easy as we change locations.
Therefore, I ask for your patience as we stabilize ourselves.

I am extremely proud of our accomplishments over the past month. Please know that our fight is not an easy one.
However, it’s one of the most important battles in the War on Terrorism. Your Soldiers are at the front,
making history each and every day.

All the best,
CPT Ethan Olberding
Dealer 6

Below please find my remarks from the Memorial Service held for Mark and Casey. I loved these young men
and I am so very fortunate to have served with them. They exemplify the best in every respect.
Our thoughts and prayers rest with the Noziskas’ and Grochowiaks’. Every Soldier is determined to live each day
in memory of these exceptional young leaders.

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Thank you all for attending. August 30th, 2010 represented an extremely tough day for Dealer Company
and a day that we will never forget. Late that afternoon we lost two of the finest leaders with whom I have ever had
an opportunity to serve. They exemplified the best in every respect. They led Soldiers at the frontlines of the war on Terror.
They loved their profession…every part of it. Both of these brave young men deserve the title “hero,”
but that word only scratches the surface. They were more than heroes.

1LT Mark Noziska arrived to Dealer Company in January of this year. He was motivated and passionate.
He wanted to succeed as a leader, and succeed he did. Mark was thrown immediately into a Platoon
that completed the Brigade’s “Raider Blitz” training event. In the frigid weather and knee deep snow any onlooker
could admit that Mark led his men by example. Following that training exercise his men knew how much talent
Mark possessed. In the spring Mark led his Platoon to JRTC and completed a grueling three-week exercise.
Again, Mark completed every task assigned with a confidence seldom found in young officers. His advisors
even explained to me how little oversight they needed on that Platoon as Mark led with skill and alacrity.
In the days leading up to deployment Mark continued to drill his Platoon and prepare his men.
At work Mark was a stern, confident leader. After work, Mark possessed the ability to showcase a relaxed spirit
that his men respected. He built an unbreakable bound with his men. As we arrived to Afghanistan Mark
hit the ground running, ensuring he soaked up every ounce of advice during his RIP. He offered thoughtful insight
on our operating environment and ensured his Platoon understood our mission. During OPERATION
SOUTHERN COMFORT Mark never complained about the conditions; he led his men and completed the mission.
I will miss Mark. He always had a positive spirit and outlook. He never complained. I will also miss
his bright red Nebraska Cornhusker hat and his long, wavy hair. He lived a life that so few will ever experience.
He lived a life that positively impacted so many people. I know because I am one of them.

SSG Casey Grochowiak is the best Non-Commissioned Officer that I have ever known. Period.
If allowed I would order a Company of Casey Grochowiaks. Each and every person that met Casey
wanted to be just like him, including me. I met him while working as a Ranger Instructor at the 6th Ranger
Training Battalion in Florida. Every student respected and admired him. He ensured that he taught the students
versus simply evaluating their performance. I would look forward to the days that I would work with him.
He made me better. In the spring of 2010 Casey contacted me and explained how he received orders
for 1BCT, 4ID. That was the best news I heard because I wanted him in my Company. I knew his abilities,
both as a leader and as a Soldier. You must understand that I did everything possible to ensure his assignment
to Dealer Company, and I thank LTC Padgett and CSM Coston for fulfilling that request. As soon as Casey arrived
I knew that he would have an immediate positive impact on my Soldiers. He did…without question.
I cannot say enough about Casey Grochowiak. He was the best…simply the best.
Along with serving as an incredible leader, Casey loved his Family; his wife, Celestina, and his two children,
Matia and Deegan. I remember seeing him and his son at a Sky Sox game in June 2010. Any onlooker
would know that Casey was extremely proud of his children.
That was another stellar characteristic about this fantastic young man.

The cowardly enemy that took these two leaders will meet their judgment. I know that every Dealer Soldier
shares that promise. I want to live every day from here on out for Mark and Casey. Furthermore, I want to honor
their sacrifice by leading my Soldiers like they did; from the front, without fear, by example, and prepared for any situation.

2 Corinthians 4:16 says:
“Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed
day by day. For out light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that outweighs them all.”

WE LOVE YOU GUYS. YOU FOREVER REMAIN IN OUR HEARTS.

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I would like to welcome everyone back to the Eliminator newsletter.

This is an opportunity for me to inform you, the family and friends of Eliminator Soldiers, on our recent travel
across the globe in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. The last of our company has made it to
Kandahar Airfield in Afghanistan, the staging ground before we move out across the battlefield.
Everyone has completed several key training requirements before leaving and moving out to FOB
Hotel California and other forward check points and combat outposts. Your Soldier participated in vehicle
roll-over and egress training. The training simulator actually suspends each individual upside down to help build
confidence in the safety systems and seat belts in the vehicles they will be driving and gives them the opportunity
to think through the dynamics during a roll-over event. Everyone also verified the accuracy or their sights
through a weapons zero range. Lastly, every Soldier went through the improvised explosive device defeat lane.
This training event demonstrated what types of IED threats may be seen in our area, what to look for,
and how to minimize their potential danger if encountered.

Everything has been going well at Hotel California. We all continue to make improvements every day
whether it’s in force protection, loading and unloading daily supplies, fixing vehicles around the clock,
or just general improvements in living conditions.

I’m always surprised how creative and skilled Soldiers are during a deployment. Building rooms,
installing AC, plumbing showers and building a makeshift gym keeps everyone busy on top of our daily operations.
Over the last few weeks, the distribution platoon has conducted over thirty resupply missions across the
Task Force Regular area of operation. The maintenance and recovery platoon have already conducted
several vehicle recovery missions and are continuously working on keeping all the company’s vehicles
healthy and rolling. The DFAC platoon is busy keeping up with hungry Soldiers as well as managing the
outgo of daily supplies to forward outposts. We recently got a morale welfare and recreation package
that allows us to use the internet and phones to make contact with family back home.
Every day we make small improvements!

The job that your Soldier does on a day to day basis helps support the Regular Battalion, the Raider Brigade,
and the mission of U.S. and Afghan commanders. We are on course to continue building the confidence,
expertise, and legitimacy of the Afghan government and helping to provide security and stabilization against
Taliban fighters and their brutality against the people of Afghanistan, specifically Kandahar Province.
We should hope that we never forget our past, to include our fathers and grandfathers that have fought
to keep our country free for more than two hundred years, or the sons and daughters that have fought
to keep us free the last ten. I look forward to the months to come and seeing the positive results
that we will accomplish together.

THE DIAMOND’S CUT

A month has already passed since the main body left Fort Carson, and time has flown by.
All of the Soldiers and Non-Commissioned Officers in the unit have performed exceptionally well
over the past month. I am extremely proud of their performance and dedica-tion to mission accomplishment.

The Field Feeding Section has done a great job of sustaining the force by serving up some great chow!
When they are not busy cooking, they have been working long hours to download all of the Class I supplies
from the local contracted trucks. All of the cooks at the check points have been doing a great job
supporting the line companies/platoons. I have heard nothing but great things about our cooks.
I cannot forget to mention the supply clerks who help to maintain accountability
of millions of dollars worth of equipment.

The Distribution Platoon has been very busy providing Class I, IV, V and IX supplies to all of the JCOPs.
They have logged over 35 Combat Logistics Patrols (CLP) totaling over 1,000 miles. In addition to CLPs,
Soldiers from the Distribution Platoon are also busy with loading flat racks with supplies for the next mission
as well as assisting the Maintenance Platoon with Force Protection. They also provide a twenty-four hour a day
on-call fuel handler to provide fuel to any coalition force that stops at FOB Hotel California in need of fuel.

The Maintenance Platoon has been extremely busy repairing vehicles, and ordering much needed parts.
Their technical expertise ensures that our Soldier’s vehicles are fully mission capable for each mission.
The Maintenance section has also performed the majority of the Force Protection for the guard towers,
as well as the Sergeant of the Guard and Entry Control Point duties. Maintenance also has the Recovery
Section that is on a twenty-four hour call to recover any disabled vehicle. The recovery section has already
been recommended for awards by other units for their quick recovery of their downed vehicle.

Every Soldier, NCO, and Platoon has played their position on the team exceptionally well, and all of
the family members should be proud of your Soldier. Keep sending your care packages and letters
to keep your Soldier motivated.

First Sergeant Calvert
Eliminator 7

Greetings to the Family and friends of the Eliminator Maintenance Platoon.

Our Soldiers have arrived at FOB Hotel California where they had plenty of work cut out for them.
Maintenance Soldiers demonstrated their carpentry skills right off, by constructing their own living quarters,
also allowing them to tailor their space in a way most comfortable to each individual. Tools and supplies
were limited at first, but the platoon’s resilience and eagerness to establish a functional barracks
made their task a complete success in minimal time.

Most importantly, the Soldiers were eager to get in touch with their families. SGT Zic and SGT Wiblishouser
worked diligently to establish an MWR the entire installation can use. Currently the MWR consists of
three very low cost telephones that can be used to make calls anywhere in the world, and five computers
connected to the internet at no charge to the Soldiers. The center also features two 48” televisions connected
to the Armed Forces Network where your Soldier is able to enjoy football games and other programming,
as well as utilize the PlayStation 2 in his or her leisure time.

Of course, with a new location come new supplies and a big mess. Maintenance Soldiers tackled this task
head on by organizing different classes of supplies into a manner that was logistically sensible, safer,
and with a neat military appearance. The motor pool was quickly transformed into a safe and productive
work environment. SGT Lanier and PV2 Taylor have recently been using their expertise to repair
malfunctioning air conditioning units in our logistical and combat support vehicles, a skill that is most
definitely appreciated by everyone. SPC Martin took charge of our power issues insuring that the generators
continued to run and repaired faulty building wiring. Continuing missions always require continued maintenance.
The platoon’s Soldiers work day and night to ensure that every vehicle is combat ready and equally safe!

The recovery section has out preformed its expectations by always staying ready when they are needed
for an unsuspected mission. When the call has come in to recover a damaged vehicle, this section has
operated seamlessly, bringing operators and equipment out of dangerous areas in minimal time.
When Soldiers find leisure time, many have been enjoying the weight room, MWR, television,
or maybe just kicking back in their room watching a movie. A mail system has been established
and there is no question every Soldier loves receiving packages and letters from their loved ones back home.

In closing, the Maintenance Platoon welcomed SGT Skachowski who recently joined the Track Section.
Special congratulations to this month’s promotions: PFC Beaumont, PFC Schneider, PFC Weaver,
PFC Dubay, SPC Daniel, SPC Cervantes, and SPC Delacruz. Also congratulations to SGT Skachowski
who was awarded his first and second Good Conduct Medal.

A month has already gone by as Distro platoon has already made a footprint in Kandahar.
Every day the platoon travels arduous terrain to provide resupply to the Task Force, provide force protection
for Hotel California, and resupply 1-22IN in all areas of the fight.

Since we’ve arrived on ground, Distro Soldiers have been constantly working to keep the Soldiers of TF Raider
prepared to engage the enemy with subsistence, ammunition, fuel, and repair parts for vehicles.
Our CLPs (Combat Logistics Patrols) are mounted patrols in which members of the platoon either man gun trucks
or what we call “wagons”, or vehicles with no gun turrets that carry supplies or fuel to the check points.
These Soldiers spend long hours on the roads in Kandahar, having already executed over 35 CLPs
and logged over 1,000 miles since our short time in country. The terrain is difficult, and the long missions
take tolls on the bodies and minds, sometimes lasting up to or over 24 hours. Distro Soldiers however,
are mentally and physically strong and able to complete the mission with the highest standards.

The loadmaster crews for Distro’s CLPs play an extremely important role in the success of our patrols
and resupply of the Task Force. At any time of the day or night, these soldiers will be called upon
to load water, food, maintenance parts, and other miscellaneous items that sustain the troops.
Distro platoon’s success is directly influenced by the heavy lifting and sweat of these soldiers
that have been selected as competent logisticians, able to identify and forecast requirements to complete
each load plan with the utmost efficiency in order to better support the Soldiers that run the supplies.

Distro’s Force Protection Soldiers are owed a great debt of gratitude from the entire platoon,
manning the guard towers and securing the perimeter of the FOB from any enemy threat. These Soldiers
constantly monitor the exterior of Hotel California, enabling the CLP and load crews to acquire the much needed
rest during their down time. These Soldiers are experts in their battle space as they have spent countless hours
learning the terrain and activity of the area they monitor. The integrity and selfless service these Soldiers portray
is a testament to the strength and will of the Distribution platoon

It has been one month and yet our Distro platoon has already accomplished a tremendous amount of progress.
Every day these soldiers perform their individual and collective tasks to better prepare the Task Force
and provide protection for our FOB. These Soldiers are mentally fit, learning new techniques on the road
to provide a stronger mounted unit. They are physically strong, able to load pound after pound of supplies
for the unit. They are focused, in tune with the environment of their guard towers, which enables the force
to sleep soundly. I couldn’t be more proud or honored to serve with every single Soldier in this platoon
as they all bring certain characteristics that make us the best Distro element in the Raider Brigade.

Our call-sign is Dirty, because in Distro platoon, there is no such thing as clean ACUs.
We work hard, we play hard, and we win hard.

1LT Jason Underwood
Distribution Platoon Leader

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A lot has happened since the last newsletter. The Regulars are in the full swing of the deployment
and we’re already one month down! The rear detachment continues to serve our great Soldiers
and Families on a daily basis. Located in BLDG on Fort Carson, we only have a small number of personnel
but we exist to assist Families during this challenging time, and to provide a command for Soldiers
who are unable to deploy. If you have questions or need assistance please contact your FRG leader first
but you can also contact the rear detachment .

As the stress of the deployment builds, I ask that Family members find a safe and healthy method
of coping with the stress. There are a lot of great opportunities to volunteer your time to a worthy cause.
Not only will it help out your community but it will also help to relieve some of the stress you may feel
on a daily basis. Please see the rest of this newsletter for more useful information and some helpful tips!

CPT Brandon Chapman

From the Command Financial Adviser

As the Command Financial adviser I would like to address a common issue that I’ve seen recently.
I ask that all spouses compare the end of month and beginning of the month LES each month to ensure
that that the pay is correct. The most common mistake is to assume that the mid-month and the end-of- month
will be the same. Due to the many recent changes to a deployed Soldier’s pay, departing the US and the time
to process the paper work, finance may combine a few months of combat pay on one pay day.
We should always verily our pay before paying bills. It is very important to understand and about what
each pay check will be so that we can properly budget. If you do not have a Family budget, please consider
setting one up as it will be well worth the effort. If you need help setting up a Family budget, please call me
to schedule an appointment.
If there is a problem you can always contact SSG Woodyard, your Command Financial NCO (CFNCO)

Coping with Stress during the Deployment

Nobody is unaffected by war. In military families, however, there is the added fear for the safety of loved ones
who have been deployed or who may be deployed in the future.
When a loved one is deployed, fluctuating emotions such as pride, anger, fear, and bitterness can add
to the stress of uncertainty. Some people will try to get back into the routine of life as soon as possible
to regain a sense of control, but others will have difficulty focusing for some time. Both reactions are common
responses to crisis and/or stress. The intensity of your feelings will decrease as time passes and you focus attention
on day-to-day activities. Because everybody experiences stress differently, don’t compare your “progress”
with others around you or judge other people's reactions and emotions.

Resilience Training for Family Members
When: 13 September 10
Where: Family Readiness Center (FRC) Building
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Childcare is provided FREE if children are registered with CYS. Please submit names and ages NLT 7

Tips on Handling Stress during the Deployment ?

Take 20 minutes a day and write in a journal
Try to get at least 20 minutes of exercise each day
Sleep for eight hours each night
Eat healthy meals whenever possible
Surrounding yourself with friends and Family and getting support from your loved ones
will boost your mood and reduce stress
Do something you enjoy each day in order to prevent anxiety.
Make a list of ten things you can do in less than 30 minutes and post it on your refrigerator
Don’t try to please everyone and try not to do too much, which can lead to unnecessary stress, saying no is OK.

Upcoming Events

14 September—Suicide Prevention Training for Family Members—FRC Building—two sessions—9:30 a.m.
to 11:00 a.m. or 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. To RSVP for this training, please email Valerie Adams . FREE Childcare is provided.

15 September—Talk like a Pirate Party– 3:00p.m. to 5:00 p.m.—Grant Library Conference Room—FREE—
No reservation required! For more information, call

18 September—Fort Carson DFMWR 5K/10K Fun Run Series - Registration Fees: $6.00 for ages 13 & older;
$5.00 for ages 5-12; FREE for ages 4 & up—For more information

Carson & Barnes Circus– The Big one is coming— Iron Horse Park— 24 September: 4:30 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.
September 25: 1:30 p.m. 4:30 p.m. & 7:30 p.m. September 26: 1:30 p.m. & 4:30 p.m. Discount Tickets
at ITR—Kids 11 & under—Adults two for one: $18.00 (with coupon) - Information:

FREE Childcare during deployment

Caring Days (deployed status only): Spouses of deployed soldiers receive 16 free hours of respite care,
per child, per month. This free child care is available from noon – 7 p.m., Caring Saturdays care will be provided
at the East Child Development Center (Building .) Caring Daily will be provided at the Southwest Center,
(Building ) from 7:30 a.m. -7:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Care is provided in four –hour time block.
Reservations are re-quired and can be made by calling not later than 3 p.m. the Wednesday prior to each Caring Day.

Your Mountain Post Discount Card is here!
These cards are for the Family of all deployed Soldiers that live in the Colorado Springs area.
Many local business and on post services offer discounts with this card. Please call Ursula to see if she
has your card. She is located in Brigade, building Room . If your Soldier put you down as "Do Not Contact",
she may not have had any information on you to order your card. Just give her a call and she will be glad to assist you.

STEP ONE: click-www.myfortcarsonmwr.com and check out all of the DFMWR programs and facilities
and community business offering our hero’s special savings. STEP TWO: Take your discount card to the location
and present it with an ID card to receive your Mountain Post Hero’s Discount.

Facebook

1. Become a Fan of 1-22 IN “Regulars By God”
2. Go to www.facebook.com
3. Search “Regulars By God”
4. Get upcoming events in the unit and the surrounding area!

VFRG WEBSITE
Sign up now for the VFRG website
www.armyfrg.org
* We can control the information flow
* Access only to Soldier’s Family Members
* Flights, official notifications and other sensitive information will be posted ONLY on this site.

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