1st Battalion 22nd Infantry Updates November 2010 Page 1

1st Battalion 22nd Infantry

1st Battalion Newsletter

November 2010

BN CO, HHC, Chaplain

Regular 6 Sends:

Friends and Families of the Regulars,

November has been a great month for our Task Force and Afghan Partners with tremendous gains
in security and development throughout Kandahar City. As highlighted by Rory Mulholland
who was a recent media embed from the French Press Agency, “American and Afghan Soldiers
have in recent weeks managed to take control of Taliban strongholds in this district (District 6)
as well as in the nearby areas of Arghandab, Zhari and Panjwayi. Now they are helping set up police stations
and install Afghan authorities that local people trust.” Thanks to your Soldiers’ incredible hard work
and dedication to mission accomplishment, we have seized the momentum from the Taliban
and given our partnered Afghan security forces and Afghan government officials the opportunity
to bring stability, prosperity, and development to the residents of Kandahar City and outlying districts.

In a short four months, our partnered Afghan National Civil Order Police (ANCOP) and Afghan
National Police had several key successes that will go a long way towards reducing intimidations
and murders of innocent people that plagued Kandahar City. You can feel the difference on patrol
as Afghan Families are starting to experience a transition to living a somewhat “normal” life.

The trust we’ve built within the Kandahar districts are evident when you see the children holding our Soldiers’ hands
and waving at them as they patrol through the communities they’re responsible for with our partners.
We’ve also seen a notable increase in the local participation within the Afghan led shuras
(local decision-making deliberations) in Kandahar City Sub-Districts 6, 7, and 8 in which they can decide
on the villages’ essential service projects to be constructed and developed.

Even though we’ve had some incredibly tough losses within the formation, Thanksgiving was a great opportunity
for us to reflect on the many things we have to be thankful for….not the least of which is the love and support
from our Families and friends. Command Sergeant Major Coston and I visited all our Soldiers
to thank them for their service and tell them how proud we are to serve with such an incredible group of warriors.
Even though the food was great, I think all of us had our Families and friends in our thoughts
and on our minds throughout this holiday season.

As we look forward to Christmas, please know that your sacrifice of missing your loved one during these holidays
allows us to bring a brighter future to the people of Afghanistan. I know the majority of our Families will be
on the road visiting loved ones throughout the holiday season and I pray that your travels remain safe
and your holidays remain bright even though you are separated from the ones you love the most.

If you plan on travelling, please update your Family Readiness Group point of contact or the Rear Detachment
leadership with your updated contact information. Our phenomenal FRGs and Rear Detachment
(led by CPT Brandon Chapman, SFC Clint Battaglia, and Mrs. Ursula Pitman) remain committed
to serving you and your Families throughout the holiday season. If you have any questions or require
any type of assistance, please do not hesitate to call them.

I’d be remiss if I did not recognize at least one of the recent promotions within the Task Force.
We recently promoted Mike Garling to Major; an event made even more special by the turn-out and support
by the officers and Soldiers of the 3rd Kandak (Battalion), 2nd ANCOP Brigade. The photo below says it all
about the phenomenal relationship that has developed between our two units.

Without question, our Soldiers continue to do an amazing job every day building capability and capacity within our
partnered forces. However, we cannot do our mission alone and wanted to give a special thanks to some of the
units who recently joined Task Force Regular and will spend the holidays with us this year: L Troop, 4th Squadron,
2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment; 2nd and 3rd Platoons from the 552nd Military Police Company; 1st Platoon
from the 170th Military Police Company; a squad from the 511th Military Police Company; and numerous
other enablers from our Explosive Ordnance Disposal unit to the Air Force Joint Terminal Attack Controllers
embedded in the Task Force’s Tactical Operations Center. Task Force Regular is truly a team of teams
with all these units being critical to our continued success.

I remain awed by the incredible efforts our Soldiers put forth every day as we fight our Nation’s enemies
and bring peace and security to the people of Afghanistan. I hope you have a very Merry Christmas
and a phenomenal New Year as we approach the half way mark in our deployment to Afghanistan.
Even though we still have a lot of work to do and short time to get there, there’s absolutely no doubt
Task Force Regular is going to win.

May God continue to bless Task Force ‘Regulars’, our Soldiers, and our Families.
Regulars, by God!
LTC Clay Padgett
Regular 6

Friends and Families of the Regulars,

From the “Regulars” Command Sergeant Major's corner come greetings and salutations!

Our Soldiers and your loved ones this holiday season are reflecting on and embellishing stories
about warm and fuzzy, sincerely felt feelings during moments of joy and thankfulness with family and friends.
The traditional query of "whose house should I visit first" and "which gift should I open first"
has been answered for most of our Soldiers again this holiday season. The only gift some of your beloved
Soldiers are explicitly craving from the old guy or gal who delivers gifts is: one hot shower unit at ACS-4,
a television at CP 7-10 that provides American--not British--football, just one porta-john for the 128
Soldiers of Blackhawk Company, and the company who diligently delivers our rations--FSC--a home.

Our cooks prepared a phenomenal Thanksgiving feast and we hope and pray they can equal
or surpass their Thanksgiving performance.

This month the Commander and I had the honor of promoting two Specialists to Sergeant
and one outstanding Noncommissioned Officer to the senior ranks of the NCO Corps:
Sergeant Richard A. Sutton, Sergeant Thomas E.
Elder and Sergeant First Class Ricardo Varcasia;
congratulations to all!

During this holiday season, let us all give thanks in our own special way
and let me provide some words for thought:
“people are beset not by the lack of opportunity,
but by the dizzying abundance of it”
and
“Cogito ergo sum” which means, "I think therefore I am."

Regulars, by God!
CSM Samuel D. Coston
“Regular 7”

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

Captains Log:
Greetings Hammers,

Another busy month is complete here at ANCOP HQ. We never stop improving our positions here
to help make our life better. This month we added gravel across the COP to help prevent dealing with mud
as the rainy season comes. We added 4 shower trailers with hot water tanks. Each trailer has
two sinks and 4 showers. We have to take quick combat showers here to conserve water; get wet, turn off
the water, lather up, and then rinse. If done right it should take less than two minutes. We have a
limited amount of water for bathing and cleaning, so we have to be very careful how we use it.

Hammer Company had a great Thanksgiving feast to celebrate a true American Holiday.
The cooks (SGT Palacios, SPC Beltau, SPC Felix, and PV2 Scott ) went all out for the event
waking up very early Thursday morning to get it started. They had some great help
from SGT Montano and SPC Danetaras. Those six made over 150 Soldiers very happy here on ANCOP.
We even extended an invitation to our ANCOP partners to come enjoy a feast with us. Just to give you
an idea of what we had, here is a short list of what we ate: turkey, stuffing, ham, roast beef, jerk chicken,
mashed potatoes, green beans, corn, marshmallow yams, holiday shrimp rice, shrimp, apples,
grapes, bananas, sparkling grape juice, and 4 different types of pie.

We served dinner from 1530-1730 for the special day. Everyone left with a full stomach.
The chow tent was decorated by the cooks and the Officers upheld a long standing tradition
in the Army and served dinner to the Soldiers. It’s our way of thanking them for what they do for us
day in and day out. Take a look at some pictures in the back of the news letter
to see some of the day’s events.

The days are getting shorter here and the nights are getting longer. If you’re thinking about
what to send in your next care package consider sending some Army approved cold weather clothing
to help keep us warm. The guys who get hit the hardest by the cold are our brave guards standing watch
in the towers all night long, making sure the COP does not come under attack and we can defend ourselves.
Some ideas are long sleeve ACU T-shirts, brown polypropylene shirts, army cold weather gloves,
hot cocoa (we now have a microwave in the chow tent to heat it up) , or maybe some nice thick winter socks.

We had a great FRG turn out this past month. A lot of family members got together back at Fort Carson
to help put together stockings to ship over to the Soldiers. If you donated your time or money
we really appreciate your efforts and the stockings will go a long way in bringing a feeling of home
to our tiny little COP. We’ll make sure they are displayed for the season. We already have a tree donated
by SGT Hardt standing in the center of the compound to remind us the holiday season is here.

Have a safe holiday season back home, don’t drink and drive, have fun with your family,
and if anyone is reading what I have to say I want a 1969 Dodge Charger and a puppy for Christmas.

Happy Holidays,
Hammer 6 (MAJ Michael R. Garling)

From the Top
From the desk of Hammer 7

Fall is in full swing! Another month has passed us by.
Hammer Soldiers are continually working hard to assist the Afghan people with their daily issues.
I’m going to be short and to the point this month. Hammer Soldiers keep up the discipline
and your duties through this month. You start getting in a routine and “BAM!” you get caught with your
guard down! I stress, don’t let that be you or your Soldiers. Maintaining good discipline is hard
when you start getting in a routine. NCOs, change up the schedule for your Soldiers
and take care of them. Why? Because a well disciplined Solder is always ready and one day
might be taking care of you. Account for your Soldiers and his or her equipment.
Watch over each other in your daily life on the COP.

Time is passing by. As I tell them daily here, one day at a time.
All the families and friends out there know this, that everything you hear and or see on the news
is adjusted a little for the audience they are trying to reach. We here in this country
are doing a great service in helping the Afghan people build themselves up to rid Kandahar City of Taliban.
I am a simple guy and after years of serving this great country I have come to the conclusion
only 10% of America really knows or cares what we are doing here.

Your sons and daughters, husbands and wives are doing an outstanding job daily. Going out on patrols and
walking the streets meeting and greeting the good people of Kandahar. Realize this too while
you are giving thanks. The Kandahar people have had the short end of the stick as far as
money and political issues. They are strong and proud people but very poor. This Thanksgiving
say a prayer for not only us but the good people of Kandahar City.

Enjoy your Friends and Families.
….Hammer 7, out

Scouts “Saber”
Thanksgiving with the Raider Brigade

The Scouts of 1-22IN spent their Thanksgiving Day in a less than traditional way, escorting
Deputy Commander LTC Garcia around the battle space to visit Soldiers on one of America's favorite holidays.

First, we traveled to Cobra's AO, CP 9-1, for LTC Garcia to visit the company which he used to command.
Then we traveled to visit 1-22 IN’s own Dealer Company and the elements of HHC's mortar, sniper,
and medic platoons. CPT Olberding assembled those present for a moment of silence before
the commencement of the meal. During the moment of silence CPT Olberding asked for blessings
upon the Raider Brigade as a whole and more specifically on the families of those among Dealer
who paid the ultimate price for their country earlier this year while serving in combat operations during OEF.
After the moment of silence there was a diverse ensemble of food to choose from.

There was steak, chicken, turkey, ham, green beans and an assortment of cookies and pies that would put
the Golden Corral to shame! The Company Commander, First Sergeant Jones, and LTC Garcia
were among those serving the Soldiers their meal. We ate, had a chance to socialize with some of our brothers
from the Battalion, then mounted up and continued to the Argandhab Valley and 1-320th FA's AO.

LTC Garcia had a chance to visit his cousin, SPC Garcia while he was helping to prepare the Thanksgiving meal.
The Deputy Commander also stepped in to assist in the serving of the Thanksgiving meal to Soldiers of Jelawur.
There was another delectable buffet for the Soldiers there as well which consisted of smoked turkey,
spiral cut ham, and greens amongst other delicious foods. The dining facility was adorned
with ice sculptures filled with shrimp cocktail and various other holiday decorations and to wash it all down
there was plenty of egg-nog on hand! The Soldiers of OEF may not have had the opportunity
to spend this Thanksgiving with their families back home, but
they did spend it with their extended family, the Soldiers with whom they serve.

-CPT Hartwig

Medics “Blood Platoon”
Greetings from Kandahar!

LT Modlin has asked me to write this month's update on the medical platoon, which is very exciting.
Briefly about me: my name is LTC Elden Rand, the Battalion Surgeon for 1-22 Infantry Battalion.
I am a cardiologist and internist by trade. When not deployed with the 4th Infantry Division,
I am usually stationed at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas, where I practice and
teach cardiology and internal medicine. My last deployment was with 3rd Brigade, 4th Infantry Division.

Another month has gone by here in western Kandahar. The days are still pleasantly sunny and warm,
but the evenings are definitely starting to show signs of autumn, and are actually quite chilly some nights.
The crisp evenings and clear starry skies are quite nice, although certainly not to the level of Colorado Springs.

Of course, the medical platoon continues to perform all duties as required in typical outstanding fashion,
but manages to also keep their perspective with good natured humor and ribbing.
Luckily, our medical business as of late has been mostly typical mild joint sprains and stomach bugs.
We have been quite busy recently with immunizations, and almost everyone here has received
their yearly influenza vaccine (Have you ?).

We have had some minor alterations recently in switching around of personnel.
Sgt Hayden has moved from the Forward Aid Station crew and stepped up to be the senior NCO
for the forward support company, PFC McCary is also moving from the Forward Aid Station to Bravo company.
CPL Newton in the Main Aid Station has just switched positions with SPC Hartle of the PSD security team.
SPC Danetaras was welcomed back to the Main Aid Station.

Mid-tour leaves have also recently started; soon the medics will enjoy seeing their families and friends again,
as well as enjoying food not made in a field kitchen.

-LTC Rand

Mortar Platoon “Thunder”
Mortar and Sniper Families of Task Force 1-22,

As the days become shorter and the nights grow longer there are definite signs that Malajat, Afghanistan
does in fact have a fall season. The leaves on the pomegranate trees have changed colors and are
beginning to fall off the branches. The temperatures range from the high 30s at night to the mid 70s during the day.
It is not much but it is a small reminder of home and a sure sign that the deployment is moving forward quickly.

Our operational space has nearly doubled in size this month with the responsibility of 2 additional villages.
The dirt roads that run throughout the area of operations are small and dangerous so all movement
is conducted by foot. Rest assured that your Soldiers are getting plenty of exercise as they walk cross country
from point to point with close to 80 pounds on their backs. Though the mission may be long,
the men are motivated and beginning to see positive results with the local nationals in our area.

On November 25th we joined D Co in a Thanksgiving feast to remember.
Decorations were brought in for the MWR tent that included banners and paper leaves.
As for the buffet line there was plenty of turkey, ham, chicken, and steak to go around. Top that off
with some mashed potatoes, gravy, dressing, and “healthy” slice of cherry pie and Thanksgiving
was in full swing here at ACS 4. Visitors to our home included the Deputy Commanding Officer
LTC Garcia as well as our own commander LTC Padgett and CSM Coston.

This was also a big month for our ANCOP partners as they celebrated Eid. This was a celebration
to commemorate the end of the Hajj. The ANCOP invited some the Soldiers into their tent for traditional
Afghan food and a dance show which helps to get a closer look at the culture in which we are immersed.

Life on the FOB has seen continued improvements. The Armed Forces Network is available in the MWR tent
so everyone can now get up-to-date information on the sports world. Several computers have
already been installed in the MWR tent though internet is not available. We will soon be able to check email
and see our loved ones on Skype and other web cam services very soon. There has also been the
installment of a washer/dryer unit as well as hot showers.

Your packages from home continue to flow to our tents like a waterfall.
There is now no shortage of snacks on the FOB as Soldiers receive multiple boxes on supply runs.
You can see the morale boost as mail is sorted and awaits someone to pass out. There is never
complaining when it comes to downloading all those boxes.

As always, thank you for your continued support in our efforts halfway around the world.
Your thoughts and prayers mean more to the men than you know.

God bless you all.
1LT Richard M. Dunkin

Assault CP “Punishers”

Happy Holidays, Punisher Families! Things here have not slowed down at all since we first arrived here
in Afghanistan. Your Soldiers are still out every day, circulating around the battlefield. We are doing
daily patrols around ANCOP to ensure that the local community is safe.

We took in a puppy a few weeks ago. She was a great dog to have around. The only time she ever barked
was when one of the towers was hit with an RPG. She was ready for a fight. Unfortunately, our
high OPTEMPO kept us from caring for her as much as we had wished, so our brothers in Cobra company
graciously offered to take her in. We saw her on Thanksgiving; she had all of her shots and a flea bath
and is definitely the happiest dog in Afghanistan.

We’ve had a few new Punishers join the platoon since we last wrote home. SGT Boolen joined us
from Bravo Company and CPL Newton picked up the honorary title of “Punisher Blood” as our platoon Medic.
Sadly, SSG Cantu had to go home to take care of his family. He is missed here every day, but we all know
how important family is to every Soldier. Without you all, there is no reason for us to be here in the first place.
We all keep him and his family in our prayers and ask you to do the same.

The Punishers have grown very close and have become our own family away from home. It is inspiring
to see the bonds that continue to grow between these men and how each of us stands behind the other
one hundred and ten percent. Your Soldiers work under minimal guidance every day and never fail
to accomplish their mission. Please continue to keep us in your prayers. We are working hard here
and cannot wait to be back home with you all again soon. The Punishers wake up every day with smiles on our faces
because we get to see first hand how great of an effect we are having here in Afghanistan.
Trust me when I say we are truly making progress in developing the government here to provide for its people.

Take care during this holiday season and God bless you all.
CPT Cary Fitzpatrick (Punisher 6)

HQ Platoon

What makes HQ Platoon work? The answer is the men that get things done around ANCOP.
From picking up trash, to commanding a company it all comes down to every Soldier giving 100%.
This platoon is a living breathing organism that continues to function even when it’s missing a vital part of itself.
No limb is more important than the other. SGT (P) Goodman is one of those limbs. With his busy schedule
from sun up until after sun down, SGT Goodman is always on the move. There is not one thing
on this COP that has not been touched or crossed by him. He seems to know everyone on ANCOP and
can tell you who they are at night just by the way they walk. SGT Goodman has this phrase that he uses
when he is given a task. I have noticed other Soldiers using the same phrase, but it just does not have the same effect
when it comes out of some other Soldier’s mouth. “Too easy,” says SGT Goodman
and then he’s off to work, and what needed to get done is done.

This is a shout out to SGT Goodman, “Job well done.”

FET; Courageously Going Where No Infantryman Has Gone Before

November brought the cold and new living quarters for us. We are trying to keep warm in our new hard building
with tons of blankets and body heat. We also have the whole team together again after the return of SPC Metts
and PFC Wray (Olson) who both got to spend some time at home with their families.
Half the FET stayed out at checkpoint 7-2 for a couple days where they participated in patrols
and got to view Afghanistan from up high on the mountainside. The other half of FET
had the opportunity to work hand in hand with some female Afghan National Police
while at PSS8 with Lightning Troop. We have also been keeping busy on ANCOP with guard shifts
and doing our part in the beautification process of ANCOP. We were able to enjoy our
Thanksgiving feast together as our own small family and share our thanks with one and other.

2LT Charleigh LaFronz-Emberger

S1 (Personnel) “El Jefe’s Corner”

Greetings everyone! November has come and gone, and we have been working harder than ever.
Our Retention NCOIC, SFC Andreas, has been all over the battlefield: from the Arghandab River Valley
seeing Blackhawk’s Soldiers, stretching all the way to 1STB’s Area of Operation to talk with Cobra’s Soldiers,
and everyone in between. He has been speaking with and counseling Soldiers on all reenlistment opportunities
and working to get Soldiers options, such as serving in Germany and Hawaii or as close to home
as well as staying right in Colorado Springs. In a span of three weeks, he has spoken with and counseled
over 225 Soldiers and conducted 29 reenlistments!

That’s an outstanding accomplishment, especially with such a high OPTEMPO our Soldiers are experiencing
around southwestern Kandahar City. As you can see below, SFC Andreas will do everything he can for any
Soldier’s reenlistment ceremony, even asking Raider 6 to conduct the ceremony.
This month we had the privilege to promote one of our most dedicated and hard working Soldiers.
He has really stepped up to the plate and has consistently hit the ball out of the park no matter the task.
Please help me congratulate PFC Joe Heinaman on his promotion to Specialist. With the initiative he is showing,
I am confident he will only continue to excel.

This month gave us time to reflect on what we are most thankful for, not only this year but in our life.
There are four main things the S1 section and other ALOC personnel were all thankful for (in no particular order)…
1). Our Family and friends, because without you we wouldn’t be the men we are today,
2.) Our Soldiers, because they are the driving force behind this great Army and
NOTHING would ever get done without them!
3). Our Lord, for the greatest gifts of Faith, Hope, and Love.
And finally we are thankful for our “shnookums” (a wife, girlfriend, significant lady, date, or a lady friend)
because without you we wouldn’t be smiling… Monica S., I thank you for keeping me smiling!

We all hope this newsletter finds you in good health and brings you an uplifting and overwhelming sense of joy !
I hope you all had a wonderful and blessed Thanksgiving!

-CPT “El Jefe” Behler/Battalion S1

S2 (Military Intelligence)

The S2 staff continued to successfully push out intelligence products this month in support of our Battalion,
targeting multiple insurgent networks in the area. November was particularly joyous for us as
we are entering the holiday season. We enjoyed Thanksgiving dinner together as a section, minus PFC Franks
who went home on mid tour leave. We have many things to be thankful for including the support of all of our families
back home.

CPT Madetzke was sure to give a toast during dinner reminding us all of how lucky we are.
We learned this month that SSG Varcasia was accepted to Warrant Officer School when we return from
our deployment in August 2011. SSG Varcasia will also finally be pinned as SFC on 01 December,
which will be another milestone for our shop. We continue to conduct daily physical training as a section
which helps us motivate each other and get our minds off of the daily grind. We have also convinced SGT Deb
and SPC Soriano to start lifting weights and are already starting to see the results.

LT Heifetz and SPC Williams are also looking forward to being with their families soon as they leave for
mid tour during Christmas. LT Wang recently returned from his mid tour leave with early Christmas presents
from his trip to Europe. It is good to have him back as he brings a unique quality to our shop.
SPC Grady continues to amuse us with his dry sense of humor, often lightening up tense times in the section.

We continue to enjoy mail time and are again thankful for all of the packages and support from our families and friends.
As we transition to the Christmas season and New Year, we value our time together and look forward
to being home soon.

S3 (Operations)

AHHHHHHHH!!!!!! The Month of November brings good food, good friends, and the Spirit of Christmas cheer.
Here at ANCOP HQ all three of these are surely present. During the last month SSG Kling,
SSG Monge, and PFC Duncan have taken their EML and all had a great time with their Families,
which we are all glad to hear. The TOC underwent a complete makeover during the month of November,
which SSG Kling and SSG Monge missed (I don’t think it was by accident either).
The place is coming along quite well and the Head Shed loves their new set-up and enjoys sitting aloft
over watching the plethora of power point products that are produced daily to help the Companies
execute our tough mission over here.

Gravel is in just before the snow (if we get any) and we have just moved into our hard-stand buildings,
which are nice and cozy I might add. New shower trailers and the introduction of ice cream have had more
of the staff up and in the gym getting ready for their leave dates to come. We all continue
to try to motivate each other and have some fun to break up the monotony of the “SHIFT WORK”
that goes on throughout the day. SSG Kling is sick right now but constantly shows up for work to infect us all
(he is such a caring guy) and the rest of us run away as to try not to get sick from him.

We are all looking forward to the holiday with our somewhat dysfunctional Family we have become
and look forward to talking to our own Families during the upcoming Holidays.
The S3 (MAJ Sandoval)and the XO (MAJ Alfeiri) try to see who can out work the boss on a daily basis
and the competition is slowing, my money is on the Boss cause that is a sure bet. Our fires guys continue
to get big in the gym in hopes of showing off the new body when they get home. Our JTAC team
has finally established a battle rhythm now that they have 3 months left before they head back to Colorado.
It seems that the JTACs have a crew rest schedule that we continually interfere with by trying to get Aircraft.

The rest of the population of ANCOP seems to be in good to great spirits as the continued improvements
better our living conditions. I would like to thank the 1SG and the CO for making it all happen everyday despite
all the outside interference at times. We are all looking forward to the Holidays and our own time to reflect on
what we are thankful for (taking a shower and not having to turn the water off and on).

We all miss everyone in the states and trust me, can’t get back there soon enough, but know that
we all could not do this job without the support of all the Families and friends that keep us going out here.
Happy belated Thanksgiving to all the HHC Families and friends and an advanced
HAPPY HOLIDAY SEASON for all the upcoming festivities over the month of December.
Keep your heads up and the care packages coming cause it will all be over soon and we can laugh
about this next year.

Holiday Hugs and Best wishes,
The Men of the Mighty Nemesis TOC

S4 (Logistics)

Once again, we come to you from Afghanistan, out of ANCOP Headquarters, Kandahar City.
All is well with the Regulars. The S4 shop has been doing phenomenal work amongst all others at their jobs
ensuring morale remains high with resupplies of turkey, stuffing, and mashed potatoes out to the soldiers fighting
the good fight. All of the Supply Sergeants at Kandahar Air Field worked extremely hard at ensuring
the Thanksgiving care packages were pushed out to all the Soldiers; I am extremely proud
to say these Soldiers are working with and for Task Force Regulars, to make sure the Holidays can be
as enjoyable as possible here in Afghanistan.

We have had some movements internally with our KAF ALOC, with that being said we welcome the new faces
and say farewell to the ones that have departed from us. To all our families back home, I extend my greatest thanks
and appreciation for your continued support of our Soldiers. Without your help and support, this would be very difficult.

We have all been working around the clock to ensure that the newest transition in theatre is moving swiftly
and smoothly. Echo Company, Forward Supply Company, 1-22 Infantry will soon be transitioning to Russian Silo;
an abandoned Russian grain silo. This new site will serve as a perfect resupply location, nestled in the middle
of our Soldiers’ locations. The transition to this new site from our current location will allow for quicker, shorter, and
safer resupplies out to all our Soldiers here in Kandahar City.

SSG Kincheloe has been doing outstanding in ensuring that all contractors meet their work requirements on time
to help the Soldiers. 2LT Lisius is following up on all on-site movement, as he has been appointed
as the 1-22 Infantry on site representative for the buildup of the Russian Silo. SFC Zelinsky and all the
supply Sergeants at Kandahar Air Field are doing an outstanding job pushing out all essential supplies
to the right locations; with their help and high motivation, they keep us motivated as the
transition to Russian Silo is made almost effortlessly.

ANCOP remains a busy body location. Day in and day out, it seems like the work never stops.
With that being said, the time seems to never stop as well. Months are flying by and it seems like
we have been here for more than we have. As we focus on our work, and less on counting the days,
Soldiers remain highly determined in getting the job done as perfectly as possible to keep each other safe and motivated.
All of our other locations within sector are doing the exact same. Your Soldiers are doing their best,
and I am proud to say that I, SFC Zelinsky, 2LT Lisius, SSG Kincheloe and our Supply Sergeants at KAF
serve by their side in supplying them with everything they need to take the fight to the enemy.

I am honored to serve alongside “The Regulars” S4 Soldiers; keep up all the great work gentlemen.

S6 (Signal)

The S6 has continued to stay busy. We want to welcome back SPC Joshua Martinek our fellow Signaleer
assigned to the S3 section. Since we arrived to Kandahar SPC Martinek has been running our STT/CPN
at Hotel California ensuring that E CO and C CO had reliable network connectivity. On top of that
he assisted with other communication needs such as tactical radios, BFT's and computers. He is now back
and we are happy to have him. He makes sure that all the communication systems are running great
for the Battalion TOC. We also gained SGT Dane Fisher and SPC Thomas Hairston to the BN S6 section.
SGT Fisher had been supporting D CO with their communication needs including setting up two Company TOCs.

SPC Hairston did a great job supporting B CO on their move to the Arghandab River Valley.
While he was there he helped set up the initial radios and computer network for the Company TOC.
We have spent a lot of time with the 117G Radio. It allows us to give Regulars tactical internet
and VOIP capability on the move or away from the TOC. We even installed it in the BN TAC
to make it a truly mobile command post. Even though all of our initial systems are set up,
the S6 section hasn't slowed down. The Signal Soldiers continue to improve the Battalion’s communication foxhole.

Hammer Family Readiness Group

Thanks to all the ladies and little ones who made it out for our stocking stuffing!
We put together 170 stockings to be shipped overseas to our HHC soldiers
using all the funds that we raised throughout the deployment.
A great time was had by all who came out for this event!

The Battalion Christmas Party this year will be on Friday, December 10th from 6pm to 9pm
at Brigade Headquarters (at the corner of Titus and Specker).
Please RSVP to Lauren or to our FRSA, Ursula Pittman to let us know how many children
and adults will be attending. It is a potluck format, so please let us know what you will
be able to bring- HHC is responsible for side dishes and desserts!

Hope that everyone had a nice Thanksgiving!
If you have any ideas for future events, please contact
Lauren or Nicki!

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Greetings from Afghanistan,

Just recently passed my favorite eating holiday of the year, Thanksgiving. The best thing about holidays
for me personally is that they tend to bring families and loved ones together. I know that many of my favorite memories
growing up were spent at family get-togethers during the holidays. This being said, this years’ Thanksgiving certainly
wasn’t under the best conditions as the Families of Task Force Regular celebrated the holiday apart from
each other due to the nature of our Nations’ calling on the 1st Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment to an important
mission in Afghanistan.

I know it is not easy celebrating a holiday away from a loved one. The holidays are usually the most difficult
times in a deployment for both deployed troops as well as their Families back home. That being said, I truly do
hope and pray that each of you make the most of holidays this deployment despite the less than ideal circumstances
surrounding them. How can we do this you ask? Well, implementing the tips below, as well as adding
some of your own, is certainly a great place to start.

For the loved one back home I’d recommend spending the holidays with the closest relatives and/or friends
feasibly possible. Being around loved ones during special occasions is always a blessing.
Rather than focus completely on how much it stinks that your loved one far away, choose to be thankful that
they are in your lives in the 1st place. Be thankful for all of the blessings that you have in your lives (that you have a
home, children, a paycheck coming in, and so forth). When we focus on what we have rather than what
we do not have, we will come to realize that we are amongst the most blessed people in the world.
Realize you are not alone. You have God above and friends around you to help you not just survive but thrive
in adversity.

Spend time in prayer. I promise that God always hears our prayers and He knows our struggles. “His love endures
forever.” If God allows us to come to a situation, He’ll give us the strength to get through that situation.
God bless Regulars, be sure to have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

REGULARS BY GOD!
DEEDS NOT WORDS!
Chaplain Chip Satterlee

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