1st Battalion 22nd Infantry Updates November 2010 Page 3

1st Battalion 22nd Infantry

1st Battalion Newsletter

November 2010

D Company, FSC, L Troop 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment

From the Commander:

Season’s Greetings to all Dealer Family and Friends,
Your Soldiers excel in Afghanistan. Nothing more can describe that. The past month proved extremely busy
for all of us as we continued to conduct numerous operations focused at defeating the enemy,
building up local communities, and improving the capabilities of our partnered Afghan Security Forces.
Through all of this everyone maintained a focus that is seldom observed. I am very proud of that fact.

All Platoons spent the past month continuing to understand the environment in which they operate.
We focus on knowing the local population that lives in and around our base locations.
They learn their neighborhoods in order to develop a greater understanding of what the local population needs.
Moreover, this relationship that is a natural product of that will help further separate the insurgents from
a local populace that simply seeks to live a normal and productive life. Please know that this is
intellectual work and all Soldiers play a critical role.

While on patrol your Soldiers work with Afghan Security Forces, talk through interpreters to the local population,
and some of them even devour the local cuisine. Typical Afghan food proves rather delicious,
and some Soldiers welcome the change from the Army chow we enjoy each and every day.
1st Platoon continues to meet and greet local civilians in the northern sector of our area of operations.
They live in a rather spacious compound that provides the basic necessities. We are working towards
solidifying their communication platforms. If you ask any of them they will describe how they enjoy
living at that location. I am impressed with their ability to build a nice place in which to live. 1LT Galeazzi
and SFC Marceau keep them motivated and they have regular horseshoe contests…I think SPC Roantes
and SPC Leroux are undefeated, but I am not certain.

2nd Platoon works for an MP Company, but they are only a short ride away. 1LT West and SFC Grimmett
continue to excel with that chain of command. They actually are going through an expansion of their current location.
All things considered I miss working with them directly. However, I know that they are working hard to complete
all assigned tasks.

3rd Platoon built their location into something impressive. All the Soldiers in 3rd Platoon enjoy
the living arrangements at ACS-5 as they have constructed quite the base out of which to operate.
1LT Denn and SFC Morales continue to lead by example and I appreciate that. They spent the last month
building solid relationships with their neighbors by distributing school supplies and helping
start local projects that will employ men from the surrounding communities.

The Mortar Platoon lives out of ACS-4 and provides an exceptional addition. 1LT Dunkin and SSG Strickland
lead a solid bunch of Soldiers dedicated to mission accomplishment. They work hard each and every day,
not only on missions, but on improving our living arrangements at this location. It is enjoyable
to watch the level of Soldier creativity when faced with less than ideal living conditions.
Certain Mortar Soldiers have turned our gym into quite the health club complete with bottled water
and open air enjoyment.

The Military Police Soldiers from 1PLT/170TH MP Company and 2 Squad/1st Platoon/511th MP Company
continue to develop the level of professionalism within our partnered Afghan National Police Forces.
Over the course of the past month 1LT Moyer and SFC Vader not only designed projects to help improve
their living conditions, but they also started improving facilities for their partners in the ANP.
SSG Jurecki leads the MP Squad based out of ACS-4. They recently started designing an in-depth training
program that will benefit our ANP partners. I cannot thank these Soldiers enough
for what they bring to the fight.

Finally I must thank my Headquarters section. They support a fast moving group of Soldiers that constantly
require supplies. Without them we would definitely fail. My motor Sergeant, SSG Craig keeps
all the vehicles up to standard, and that’s not an easy job. SSG Pierce runs the daily operations here at ACS-4
and also manages our leave program. Therefore, he represents one of the most popular men in the Company.

Congratulations are in order for 1LT Dan Quinlan. He was promoted on Thanksgiving night by LTC Padgett.
1LT Quinlan leads our efforts at project building within our area of operations. This past month we welcomed
a new officer, 1LT Jonathan Paredez. 1LT Paredez arrived and immediately had a positive impact
with our headquarters. He assists with coordinating mission focus based upon information we uncover.
My Executive Officer, 1LT Brian Calvo, keeps us all in line, especially me. Without his dedicated effort
we would struggle. Finally, 1SG Jones keeps us all focused and motivated.

This Thanksgiving I am thankful for all of the Soldiers that I have the privilege to lead. They have constantly
demonstrated a dedication to mission that impresses me. Moreover, I am thankful for your continued
and unfettered support. Your Soldiers make my job easy and I am blessed to lead them.

During the holiday season I ask that you reflect upon the sacrifice you and your Soldier have made to the
cause of freedom. It is a condition shared by a solemn few; a few men and women that understand
that value of selfless service.

May God Bless you and your entire Family this holiday season.
Happy Holidays from all the Dealer Company Soldiers!

With Every Good Wish,
CPT Ethan Olberding
DEALER 6

Happy Thanksgiving to all the Dealer family,

It has been a very productive month since our last newsletter!
Here at ACS-4 the quality of life systems are starting to come on line. We now have AFN, a big morale boost
for the company, and we are currently number 6 on the list to get SPAWAR up and running. My Christmas present
will be all of your Soldiers being able to have a face to face talk on the internet by 25 DEC. We have web cams
for all 9 computers, so with some luck we will be able to see our families open up holiday gifts.

ACS-5 (3rd PLT), and ACS-2 (2nd PLT) have all systems operational and are improving their COPs every day.
I spent a few days at each location and all Soldiers are well. Soldiers are motivated and getting used to the
daily routine of life in Afghanistan. We have almost completed two full months of EML and
have January-March EML dates set. So 85% of the Company has either taken EML or know the approximant date
they will be home. All Soldiers will take the 15 days of free leave.

Thanksgiving Day was a big hit: ham, turkey, steak, hens, mashed potatoes, stuffing, green beans, cranberry,
and several kinds of pie. You had to stay up late to see the football games; they did not start untill 0030 over here.
We were visited by several guests: the Brigade DCO (LTC Garcia) and his group, LTC Padgett, CSM Coston,
and Chaplain Satterlee along with their entourage. The BN CDR visited all locations and while here at ACS-4,
he promoted 2LT Quinlan to 1LT Quinlan. A big day for him and his wife, no longer a butter bar……

Thank all of y’all for the support and hard work you do.
The toughest job in a deployment is that of the families back
home. You all have my eternal gratitude !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

GOD BLESS AMERICA, OUR SOLDIERS AND FAMILIES
AMEN.
CHARLES R. JONES
1SG, USA
First Sergeant

November has been a busy month for the Dealer Platoons inside of Kandahar City, Afghanistan.
The mechanics were busy ensuring that all the vehicles are running properly, fixing
and maintaining generators, and setting up the little amenities that boost moral are installed properly.
The showers, laundry machines and Moral Welfare and Recreation facility have all been set up
thanks to SSG Craig, SPC Davis, and PVT Lyles. The HQ’s PLT SGT, SSG Pierce, worked especially hard
this month, ensuring that all the leave packets for the rest of the deployment were completed. This way
the Soldiers of Delta Company, 1-22 could return home to see their Families
and friends during the deployment.

The Company Intelligence Support Team, led by SGT Clifford Johnson constructed detailed data bases
to support Delta Company’s operations and future operations. SPC Nicholas Hebblethwaite,
COIST member, is practically a one man show running Dealer Companies daytime radios, blue force tracker
and computer communication systems. SPC Fisher is receiving an in theater instruction on COIST and Tactical
Operations Center activities and is coming along very well. SGT Fiskum has nightmares as he successfully maintains
all communication platforms inside of Dealer Company’s Area of Operation. Recently promoted 1LT Daniel Quinlan
continues the fight to support the civil affair operations that Dealer Company has nominated as priority inside
of Kandahar City, Afghanistan. 1LT Jonathan Paradez, who recently arrived to the HQ’s Platoon, works efficiently
to provide the latest targets and intelligence reports for the company.

SGT Day and SPC Dav are seeing all of the TF Raider AO as they drive CPT Olberding across the battle space
for the important, yet time consuming meetings with our partnered Afghan National Security Forces
and fellow Coalition Forces. CPT Olberding ensures the company is running with top professionalism
and guidance daily. SPC Ryan Minier maintains the night time radio guard and basic operations allowing the
rest of the company to receive needed rest. SGT Tipton continues to coordinate our indirect fires and conduct
his appointed COIST responsibilities with paramount professionalism. 1SG has done an extremely good job
of ensuring that the base we live on looks great and is improved daily through his guidance.

Last month the Dealer Platoons enjoyed the Thanksgiving holiday and gave its highest thanks and praises
to the Families who help support their Soldiers on the frontline. During Thanksgiving, we took
a moment of silence for the Soldiers we have lost, and thank God for our Families, friends, fellow Soldiers,
the things we have, and the safety and prosperity we continue to endure. Please continue to support your Soldiers
on the frontline as they serve their country with the utmost honor, dignity and respect.

The Month of November has been a busy month for the Reaper Platoon as we continue to reduce the threat
within sector and build relationships with both the local population and our Afghan counterparts. We continue
to embrace the home we refer to as the “Italian Villa” or “Reapers’ Lair”. The commodities we
live without are made up for by your patronage. Care packages and letters continue to arrive, even if at a “Snail Mail”
pace, sparking our morale. If you have not sent many letters, I urge you to do so as a letter can mean the difference
in a smile or not for the day and the words pull your boys away from here and back to a place of comfort.

We were happy to be able to send SPC Smith, PFC Briseno and PV2 Benz home for a well deserved vacation
with loved ones and anxiously await their return. The Reapers also welcomed two non-commissioned officers (NCOs)
and one soldier into our ranks. They are SGT Jones, SGT Hass and PFC Tatum (“Tater”). SGT Jones returns
to active duty as an Infantry NCO with Combat Engineer experience. The knowledge acquired in both of these skills
will greatly increase our security missions as well as help this country be safe from unexploded ordinance.
SGT Haas comes to us from our sister Bravo Company. His experience gained as an Infantry Team Leader
serving in other parts of our Battalions’ Area of Operations will just multiply the experience already gained
within the Platoon. PFC Tatum arrives from the Battalion Commanders Personal Security Team.
I am personal friends with his old Squad Leader and am confident he will be a strong and beneficial member of the Platoon.

So, everyone probably wants to hear about their boys! As for the Headquarters section, I am still the “Ranger Daddy”
of the Reapers, ensuring the men do the right thing and don’t take any unnecessary risks so that I can return them
all home safe to you. 1LT Galeazzi continues to be a strong and firm addition to the Platoon as he analyses
intelligence and determines how the Reapers can have the greatest effect on the battlefield. We both try to ensure
we are out on as many missions with your boys as we can. Doc Gleba is trying to match his body with
his beach babe eyes. You see him more often than not working out in our little gym out back.

PFC Moreau, our Forward Observer is disappointed he has yet to call a “fire mission”. None-the-less, he is
a great help serving as the alternate RTO for the platoon. I don’t know where he gets them, but he always has
a Tootsie Roll to offer his fellow comrades. You can usually find him and I, the “New England Duo”
destroying guys in the card game “Spades”, although due to lack in competitors he has been playing more and more
of Madden Football on the PSP. SPC Bosch is happier than ever. His is performing exceptionally well in his new role
as the platoon RTO. His experience with this position in a previous deployment enables him to manage
the platoon’s communications and keep the Platoon Leader focused on missions. His enthusiasm brightens
those around him and he never turns down an offer of food or tea from the locals.

The “Rednecks”, 1st Squad, are as cheery as ever. SSG Rodriguez doesn’t like the squad name his boys love,
but hey, he does have a squad full of Good Ol’ Boys! With the addition of PFC Tatum, there is enough smiling
to brighten up a rainy day. These guys know how to have fun in the worst of conditions. SPC Roantes,
SPC Boone, SPC Leroux, PFC Long, PFC Haynes and PFC Tatum built a horseshoe pit. They enjoy it frequently
although they were disappointed to realize that it is not as easy to play under night vision devices as they thought
it would be. Roantes and Leroux..two peas in a pod.. are usually the victors. PFC Long is quite promising
for a guy who says “I’ve never played, just watched my dad”. Yeah right, he is a ringer. SSG Rodriguez
and SGT Jones stay busy with their professional responsibilities, but enjoy their chats with loved ones
over their Blackberries. SPC Roantes regained his championship in the board game “Risk”, I will add
with the help of his pal Jacque Leroux! PFC Flores continues to enjoy his letters and draws as often as he can
and the boys love the finished products. I haven’t heard as much about zombie killing from Long,
but I think he is too excited to be going home on leave. We have a couple of snipers here and he often
talks about that skill with them.

SPC Boone has the only laptop that keeps a good battery charge with the sporadic city power here,
so he is usually the giver of movie night for the Rednecks. Did I mention, SPC Leroux makes a mean batch
of “Cowboy Coffee”? The “Wombats”, 2nd Squad, have a new Squad Leader. After we dissolved weapons squad
due to manning issues, SSG Reich took over as the leader of your boys. It was an honor requested long ago
in honor of his best friend, SSG Grochowiak. He gets a lot of care packages from the Grochowiak family
which he shares with all in the Platoon. He spends a lot of time with our Afghan counterparts, continuing to mentor
and build relations with them. SGT Wiliams just received a bunch of PSP games in the mail. If he is not out
patrolling that is what you will find him doing, playing video games.

SGT Haas is new, but I am sure I will have plenty of great stories to pass on about him in the next newsletter.
PFC Anastasi still gets daily reminders from me to write his Grammy, whom he talks about often.
He is probably one of the most motivated soldiers I have had the privilege to work with over my 18 years in the army.
PFC Kimbrough continues to amaze me with his dry sense of humor. He has recently become the mine sweeper
for the squad and is doing an outstanding job. He stays motivated with mail from his girlfriend and a novel from the
“Twilight” series. What can you do about young love? PFC Gates, the squad machine gunner, continues to have
a good sense of humor. He loves his machine gun although I have not convinced him to sleep with her yet!
He is usually seen watching movies or listening to his IPOD.

PFC Graham continues to be a soft spoken young man, but the kind you become fond of. He spent some time
as a Team Leader when we were short on NCOs and did a commendable job. Lately, you’ll find him playing PSP
with the other guys. We have a couple attachments, SPC Larannaga and PFC Ruis from the Sniper section.
They are both spirited individuals who volunteer more than asked to help give your boys some well deserved rest.
“Wombat”, our German Sheppard, was looking to be on his last leg. He didn’t get out of bed for three days
until a female Sheppard from across the street started coming around. Now, he struts his stuff everywhere
and often goes out on patrol with us. A typical Reaper! Our puppy “Koochie Mamma” is getting big.
She continues to act like a puppy and a pain in my butt, but she is the love of the PL and SPC Bosch
so I am sure she is here to stay. She tries to go on patrol, but only makes it a few hundred meters
before she is too overwhelmed.

As the cold weather comes in, you will often find your boys around a campfire telling ghost stories and such.
The food you send us is made into a fire cooked meal for the Platoon. Again, I cannot thank you enough
for all your support. So, as you see, we are doing fine here at the Reapers’ Lair. We hope all of you have a
wonderful Thanksgiving. We love each and every one of you.

Until next time,
Reaper 7 out!

During the month of November, 3rd Platoon continued their hard work in securing and developing the
villages within the Dand District of Kandahar, Afghanistan. In addition to security patrols, 3rd PLT has focused
heavily on winning the trust and confidence of Afghan villagers and their leadership, so that they may ultimately
support the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) that are working to protect them.
3rd PLT continues to train, mentor, and partner with the Afghan National Civil Order Police,
so that they may bring effective governance and security to the region and nation.

Over the past few weeks, 3rd PLT has been successful in establishing work programs among the many poor
and unemployed villagers. 3rd PLT and its Afghan Police partners are continuing to build solid relationships
among village leadership to more effectively respond to village needs, coordinate work projects, humanitarian
aid distribution, and work together to defeat the enemies of the Afghan people. While these partnerships
take significant time and effort to build, they are invaluable in aiding the effort to bring security and stability
to Kandahar and Southern Afghanistan.

Though far from home, 3rd Platoon enjoyed a simple Thanksgiving dinner amongst their adopted family in
Kandahar. It’s certainly no easy task to enjoy Thanksgiving Day in between security patrols and guard duty,
however, 3rd Platoon counted the day as a definite success. We celebrated the occasion with a variety of
sport activities to include a volleyball tournament with the Afghan Police, tanker bar throw, and bench press
competition all held within our platoon outpost. SPC Ellis, SPC Grigg, and PFC Nelson were successful in taking
the volleyball team title, however, some of their competitors are already talking about a heated rematch
during the Christmas Holidays. SPC Ellis was able to win the tanker bar throw with a miraculous slide across the
gravel. The lightweight bench press title went to SGT Tackett, middleweight went to PFC Wooten, and heavyweight
was a tie between SGT Faiivae and LT Denn. In addition to the day’s activities, everyone in the platoon
was able to squeeze in a brief period of time to relax, unwind, and call home to friends and family.

This month, 3rd Platoon continued its R&R rotations with SSG Moudy and PFC Sweetman. PFC Redd and
PFC Wooten are the next to go, as the rest of the platoon eagerly awaits their turn to take a break and visit
friends and Family. As November comes to an end, 3rd Platoon is happy to be one month closer
to returning home and continues to drive on toward mission accomplishment.

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

Welcome Friends and Family. Another month is down for the Eliminator Company and we continue to look towards
our future mission requirements. During the last month we have continued to improve our life support needs, increased
efficiency in mission support, and have had some memorable events that will last a lifetime which includes an
outstanding Thanksgiving dinner amongst each other. Your Soldiers are a continual inspiration for the daunting tasks
that they perform in order for us to succeed as a company and complete our mission as a battalion.

This last month many Soldiers have helped in the installation of an additional three shower trailers at our location.
This contract has been a work in progress for a couple months now but is finally coming to a close. Soldiers in
maintenance have helped in the power generation to make the showers work properly while Soldiers in Distro have
helped maintain oversight on the workers at the job site. These “hot” showers are a literally a warm welcome with the
onset of the cold weather season here in Afghanistan. Average temperatures have been in the sixties during the day
and as cold as thirty at night. In addition to the increased morale over the showers, 1SG Calvert instituted
“any ball cap Saturday.” Every Saturday Soldiers in the FSC can where baseball caps show their favorite
athletic teams or that depict their personalities. I encourage you to send your Soldier a ball cap
for them to wear if they don’t already have one or two.

I have to say that this Thanksgiving dinner has been the best I have experienced while deployed.
I would like to personally thank SFC Sykes, SSG Rivera, SGT Rivers, SPC Matin,
SPC Finnegan and PV2 Ortiz for their extremely hard work coordinating all the Thanksgiving meals
to be distributed in the Battalion. These Soldiers also cooked the incredible dinner and prepped
the dining tent with ice sculptures, fruit pyramids, and other decorations. It is always hard to be away
from Family during this time of year, but Soldiers were very content with the day off, being able to make calls home,
throwing around a football and devouring a smorgasbord of Thanksgiving food! I hope you enjoy
our Thanksgiving pictures.

As I’m sure you have heard, we were supposed to move to another location by this month’s newsletter.
Well, it has been delayed until further notice. It looks like we will spend another month here
at Hotel California until our new location is built and ready for us to relocate. Looking forward,
we are anxious to move as it will be around the pivotal half way point in our deployment
and we will have a very important mission for the Battalion and for the Afghan people
living in Kandahar City. We will be living at a power generation plant that will provide electricity
for the western half of Kandahar City increasing their quality of life and future prosperity.
We currently do not know when we will make the transition, but rest assured your Soldiers
will make that transition and take the new mission with success.

There are many people to thank among you who have taken the time to read this month’s newsletter.
It is you that supports these fine men and women who diligently perform their jobs day to day.
It is you I thank for the moral and ethical lessons our Soldiers have learned and put to use
every day making decisions that may affect them and fellow Soldiers for years to come.
Your Soldier’s work is proof that our country is the greatest nation and that we can and will endure
in any situation. Thank you and I hope you enjoy this month’s history in pictures! I hope you have
had a wonderful Thanksgiving and are looking forward to a quickly approaching
Christmas and holiday season.

Hello Tasks Force,

This is one of our favorite seasons to celebrate; while we are currently away from our beloved Families,
we honored and served a traditional Thanksgiving Holiday Meal on 25 November 2010.
We embraced one another, shared memories and had a festive time while we enjoyed our meal.
We had pineapple glazed ham, steamship round (roast beef), prime rib and of course roasted turkey with
all of the trimmings, yams, garlic roasted mashed potatoes, savory bread dressing, traditional corn bread
dressing, southern style green beans, seasoned corn, cranberry sauce, a garden vegetable salad,
brown gravy, turkey gravy, aus jus sauce, and a variety of assorted breads, fruit, pies and cookies.

Currently at FOB Hotel California, Our Soldiers are highly motivated and seek knowledge from the Leadership.
We are all learning from one another and await the opportunity to excel; we currently
have SPC Finnegan who will be appearing before the Promotion Board for Sergeant around the end
of the Month. SGT Rivers is our Supply Sergeant and she is currently working with the Chain of Command
and completing our monthly inventories, while working other Platoon’s she has established a great repair
with the Senior Leadership and is passing Knowledge to all of her Soldiers; PFC Ortiz and PFC Alcorta.

SSG Rivera, SPC Matin, SPC Finnegan and PFC Murphy will be participating in the Thanksgiving meal
mentioned earlier; their day will start around 0430 and end somewhere around 2200Hrs that night.
PFC Ortiz is a Chemical Corps Soldier and is very motivated and eager to learn all aspects of his job,
not only that, but he volunteers his time and efforts to help everyone on site, he’s a very outstanding Individual.
SPC Goods and CPL Hamic are currently on leave and enjoying the holiday with loved ones.

SGT Hayden is our Medical NCO, currently covering down for SPC Goods; “DOC” is dedicated to taking
care of our Soldiers health and well being, he double slotted so to speak, when not caring for Soldiers
on our FOB, he’ s going on patrol and assessing our battlefield Soldiers health and welfare as well.

SGT Durrance, is the” Man with the Plan” as our Company Tactical Operations Sergeant,
his day starts off with observing and talking and mentoring our Soldiers. His comical insect antics amuse the
entire site when they hear and see him approaching, mostly hearing first though. His leadership style
and communications tactics appease all of our Soldiers, and makes him a great asset to Hotel California,
he also keeps our Tactical Operations running smooth and updating information daily.

All of our Combat Operating Posts, are doing fine, we currently have 18 Soldiers that are supporting
these areas and are doing everything they can to make their operation run better. 1SG Calvert,
1LT Wilson and CPT Rossol are currently improving our site, our living conditions and logistical support
throughout Theater. With all of the moving pieces from our location and higher, the Soldiers and
their morale are the most important, and as Leaders we have to keep that in mind produce an environment
suitable for that and I think Echo FSC is doing just that. Taking care of Soldiers is our primary
mission. God Bless and continue to keep us in your prayers, as you are in ours.
Psalms 23

SFC Sherwin Sykes
HQ Platoon Sergeant

Family and friends of the 1-22IN Maintenance Platoon,

The Maintenance Platoon is moving past the first phase of all deployments: the first 90 days.
The first 90 days are hard on everyone, with adjusting to a new location, getting into a rhythm
and building a functional maintenance concept that is both effective and efficient. The Soldiers
of the maintenance platoon have successfully managed to do just that.

The great thing about a mechanic is the ability to remain flexible and continue to keep the Battalion in the fight.
I am proud of each and every one of them and through their tenacity, creativity and dedication
to the mission they have managed to take a pretty rough fleet of equipment, repair it
and sustain the readiness rate of this Battalion at an impressive 97.9 percent. This of course does not come
without sacrifice and some long hours. Your Soldiers are replacing engines, transmissions, brake assemblies,
axles, conducting preventative maintenance and services, and utilizing their special craft to support
this Battalion in fighting the enemies of freedom. As if that were not enough, Maintenance also
secures our livelihood by providing all of the force protection at Hotel California. That in itself is a full-time job.
We also manage to orchestrate and dispatch the finest Recovery team in theater at a moment’s notice
without skipping a beat. So be proud of your Soldier not only for their service to their country
but for continuously going above and beyond their job scope to support the unit.

Building relations with the Afghan National Police at Hotel California came to fruition when the
Welding team supervised by SGT Espinoza fabricated and reworked one of the ANP fuel trailers
that had been damaged pretty severely on mission. The entire frame was in two pieces and within a few
days you could barely tell that it was damaged at all and the trailer was back in the fight. A great job
to all involved on this project. They are all true masters of their craft. SGT Zic and his crew of misfits
have been roaming around sector this month repairing and conducting the necessary technical inspections
on all the night vision devices and weapons within the 1-22 arsenals. They have repaired over 100 pieces of
equipment this month alone. Their ability to identify faults and quickly repair these items is a true insight
into their job knowledge and skill.

With EML in full swing, the maintenance platoon must wear many hats and get pulled in so many directions
other than maintenance. With trips to Walton to drop soldiers off for EML, QRF Recovery, force protection,
and anything else the company needs while the Distro Platoon is out pushing parts and supplies to our outlying areas,
Maintenance still finds the time and energy, led by SFC Kemp and SSG Rodriquez, to conduct 20 plus
vehicle repairs on average a day. These men and women are truly amazing Soldiers that have proven themselves
to be a flexible and determined group and I am very proud to serve next to them.

We would like to welcome our little mechanic to the maintenance platoon this month. SGT Wiblishouser and his
wife were blessed with an 8lb 1oz baby boy, Kason Dean Wiblishouser. Congratulations to the Wiblishouser family.
It can be a trying time with the holidays for both the Soldiers, and the Families. Stay strong by staying connected
with your loved ones. Even though your Soldier is not there with you include them in everything that you do and give
continuous updates to relatives and friends. Let them know all of the great things that your Soldier is doing. We are all
proud to be Soldiers in one way or another but find our modesty keeps us from shouting it from the
Afghan mountain tops. Be proud of us and let everyone you know that we are writing history here
and that history will follow each and every Soldier and Family forever.

Happy Holidays to everyone and thank you from the Maintenance Platoon for your
continuous and undying support!

It’s the beginning of December now and the Distribution Platoon is still standing strong. The platoon
has come a long way in this deployment, perfecting our individual tasks and collective techniques
out on the road. The platoon is still very busy with combat logistics patrols, load up, and maintenance,
however the downtime we do earn, we take advantage of. I can confidently say the platoon
is really starting to come together as one, and this is due to the hard work, diligence, and personality
from each and every soldier in the platoon. Now we are faced with a new task, one that
will take time and a lot of hard work. The company will soon be moving to a new location in another part
of the area of operation.

Cargo section, headed by SSG James Wheatley has had a very productive month, as the squad recently
received SSG Wheatley’s leadership once again after SFC Jarmon was placed as the new platoon sergeant.
Immediately when SSG Wheatley took over his squad, he began working and mentoring his Soldiers to be a more
cohesive squad. The entire squad has signed up for tuition assistance, as many plan to begin classes
when we complete the move to the Silo. SPC Mulligan had his birthday in November, and for the entire day
managed to stay under the radar until the squad leadership caught him at around 2300 and made him do the customary
birthday push-ups. But as always, Mulligan did the push-ups with a smile on his face.

The platoon is glad to see PFC Tremblay and SPC Chilson are healing very well after their accidents
in the field. SGT Davis has recently put SPC Siel in charge of the daunting task of supply load up
for each location the platoon conducts missions to, and Siel has really proven that no task is too difficult
for him to accomplish.

Ammo section, headed by SSG Chris Shores continues to be a driving force within the platoon,
providing the Combat Logistics Patrols with the lead gun-truck for nearly every mission, managing
all ammunition supply for the Battalion, and demonstrating technical expertise with communications platforms.
The lead gun truck, commanded by SSG Shores, driven by SPC Hanrahan, and gunner PFC Seger
really sets the pace for Distro’s success on the road.

Communications for the platoon has been given to SPC Dietrich, who doubles as the Convoy Commanders driver.
Currently, the squad leader, SSG Shores is on R&R leave, in which he left SGT Henry Turnipseed
in charge of the squad and the lead gun-truck, and we have no doubt that SGT Turnipseed will mimic the tactical
proficiency of his squad leader.

POL section, headed by SSG David Rambo Sawyer is always an asset to the distribution platoon
for its hard working soldiers and technical knowledge of all fuel and petroleum products. The section
has an addictive personality that keeps the platoons’ attitude healthy on lengthy and strenuous missions.
POL section sent out its fuel recon element, consisting of SGT Juarez and SPC Dias, to the Russian Silo
to spearhead the fuel operations at the new location and soon-to-be home of the FSC while the Navy engineers
continued to build up the location.

Also, on one of the recent CLP’s (Combat Logistics Patrol), nearly the entire fuel section worked for hours
at the Silo to build a perimeter for fuel operations at the new location. The squad is also excited to have
PFC Mallet and SGT ‘Baby Face’ Coburn back at Hotel California after their R&R leave.

Myself and SFC Jarmon are extremely proud of the platoon this month and its continued success in Kandahar City.
The platoon continues to exceed the expectations of the Forward Support Company and provide
the necessary supplies for Task Force Regular soldiers to continue to push the fight to our enemy, and ultimately
bring all of us one month closer to coming home together.

1LT Jason Underwood
Distribution Platoon Leader

November Birthdays:
SGT Artman- November 1st
PFC Mallet- November 5th
SGT Makin- November 15th
SPC Mulligan- November 20th
SPC Aitchison- November 22nd
PFC Perez- November 24th

November Promotions:
SPC Battle
SPC Parr
SPC Latine
PFC Neal

November Re-Enlistments
One of the most honorable duties as an officer is administering the enlistment oath for an enlisted Soldier
with the colors presented. This month, several enlisted Soldiers were able to work duty assignments and
bonuses with our company and battalion re-enlistment NCOs to extend their service in the United States Army.
SSG Rodriguez
SPC Hughes
SPC Polk
SPC Olney
SPC McCormick

Recent Babies
Special congratulations go out to two families with new additions to the Eliminator and Regular Team.
SGT Adam Wiblishouser and his wife Sarah for the birth of their son, Kason Dean Wiblishouser!
He was born October 23th and weighed 8lbs, 1 oz. PFC Daniel Perez and his wife Amanda also deserve
warm welcome for their son Benjamin Kane Perez! He was born on November 21st and
weighed 7lbs, 4oz. We wish you well and look forward to meeting your new family members!

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

After a month in Kandahar City, the troop is now familiar with its streets and people.
Capitalizing on its experience mentoring the Afghan Border Police and interacting with the population
in Spin Boldak, the troop made quick progress. Children ask for PFC Krassow when they see
1st Platoon on patrol without him. 2nd Platoon walked over one hundred miles last month!
3rd Platoon all but started a sports league with their partnered Afghan police unit.
The Mortars’ LT Osmack is a champion chai drinker known to every mullah in his neighborhood.
Finally, our military police platoon makes Kandahar City safer every day through its
amazing efforts training the Afghan National Police in Sub-district 8.

Also in the past month, several troopers joined the ranks of the noncommissioned officer corps
and one of our platoon sergeants was promoted. Joshua “CSI” Dowling – best known for
his technical savvy and talent at tactical site exploitation – and Brett “Rob” Robinson – our senior medic
and best radio-telephone operator – both received welldeserved promotions to corporal.
Jon Bell, after serving as 3rd Platoon’s platoon sergeant for nearly two years, finally pinned
the second rocker of a sergeant first class. Please congratulate CPL Dowling, CPL Robinson,
and SFC Bell in your correspondence!

Unfortunately, despite promoting some of our “franchise players,” reenlisting others, and welcoming a few more,
not all is happy. With a heavy heart, we say “farewell” to SSG Ken Brown and CPT Matt Donofrio.
SSG Brown did a stellar job ensuring our numerous communications systems – tactical internet, non-tactical internet,
satellite radio, FM radio, to name just a few – worked every hour, every day. CPT Donofrio,
after more than eighteen months in L Troop, now moves to squadron staff as a planner. We will miss SSG Brown,
CPT Donofrio, and Brooke Donofrio keenly. On the upside, we welcome LT Will Webster and his wife
Tashina Webster to L Troop to replace the Donofrios.

Although the troop is now spread throughout Kandahar City, the troopers remain tight. The scouts quip
that in Spin Boldak, they proved their credentials as cavalrymen, riding everywhere on their armored horses.
Here, in Kandahar City, they establish their qualifications as dragoons.
Whatever the future holds, they demonstrated here they are
“Always Ready.”

God bless you for your tremendous support and many prayers. Please keep those prayers –
and the care packages – coming! Your troopers love you for it.

Toujours prêt!
Light ‘em up!
CPT Ed Mikkelsen
LIGHTNING 6

Family and Friends of Lightning Troop,

As we approach the 45 day mark here in Kandahar City, I could not be more pleased with our Troopers
daily performance. Although we are operating in a different environment, the troop continues to excel
in every facet. Something that comes to mind is going from a mounted Cavalry organization to a
more physically demanding dismount orientation where the troopers responded to this change
quickly and successfully. As we continue to improve our “COP,” our living conditions will improve greatly;
no longer will our troopers live on top of each-other once the new buildings are approved for construction.

I would like to take a minute to congratulate our newly promotable soldiers who earned their new stripes:
CPL Robinson (ROB, DOC, or L77M), CPL CSI Dowling, and SFC J.B. Bell.
It was an honor to see these outstanding troopers get promoted to their well-deserved new ranks.

In closing, I just want to thank all our friends and Families for all their support. We all hope to be home soon.
Thank you again,

Toujours prêt!
Light ‘em up!
1SG Talmadge M. Ruffin
LIGHTNING 7

Greetings from Kandahar City!

Red Platoon continues to excel here at the troop combat outpost (COP). Since leaving Spin Boldak,
the platoon patrols almost exclusively on foot, working with the local population and Afghan
security forces from the moment it leaves the front gate. The patrols and extra work of running a COP
increased the load shouldered by the men of Red Platoon but not dampened their enthusiasm.
The Stryker drivers, PFCs Krassow, PFC Preston, PFC Reynolds, and PFC Osterman are particularly happy
to be on their feet and not behind the wheel, getting to see the local population faceto- face.
Krassow talks to the children so much that some even ask for him by name when he’s not on patrol.

SSG Wesserling and I could not be more proud of the platoon’s transition from Spin Boldak to Kandahar City.
Every day, a new challenge arises and the platoon finds a way to overcome it. Moreover, the close quarters
of the COP bring the platoon together in a new way. The platoon also welcomes SPC Clinton Phillips to the platoon.
A 19D Cavalry Scout from Colorado, SPC Phillips’ previous assignment was 5-1 CAV in Alaska.

With the holidays just around the corner and midtour leave in full swing, we near the half way point
of the deployment, bringing us one step closer to our friends and loved ones back home. We think of you always.

LT Andrew Gregory, RED 1

Dear Friends and Family of WHITE Platoon,

Your troopers send their greetings from our combat outpost (COP) in Kandahar City. We rapidly adjusted
to primarily dismounted patrolling and COP life and are now building bonds with the local population.
Due to an increased presence in their villages, the locals are becoming increasingly friendly towards our patrols
and often express their appreciation for the improved security.

Life at the COP continues at a hectic pace, but, in the last month, we greatly improved the standard of living
for our partnered Afghan National Civil Order Police (ANCOP) and ourselves by constructing a
new chow hall with electricity and getting hot water for the showers here. This will pay huge dividends
as the winter months begin. Partnership with the ANCOP continues to improve, with training conducted
on such diverse topics as Pashto, first aid, weapons, and basic tactics.

We are proud of the recent promotion of Specialist Dowling to Corporal, and welcome Specialist Beckner,
Private First Class Fairbairn, and Staff Sergeant Reyes back from a well-deserved R&R. Your
continued support and prayers are always appreciated, and until next time,

Toujour Pret.
Very Respectfully,
2LT Edwin den Harder

Greeting Families and friends of Blue Platoon!

As I am sure you all know, we spent the last month adjusting to life outside Spin Boldak.
While your troopers miss surf n’ turf meals and warm showers, Blue Platoon excelled in many areas of operations.
The new Afghan police officers who partner with Blue are a blast to work with and always stay motivated.
In addition to doing combined patrols, Blue and the Afghan police eat, sleep, and play music together.
Since arriving here, Blue made a significant impact on nearby villages by engaging the populace and
coordinating the first meetings ever for local neighborhood elders. Locals recognize Blue’s hard work,
and we continuously receive positive feedback on the district’s progress.

The platoon also saw four promotions and three reenlistments this past month. As a platoon leader,
I could not be more pleased with Blue Platoon’s drive to succeed despite major changes and long separation
from the rest of Lightning Troop. As always, we cannot send enough thanks for the letters and care packages.
Your thoughts and prayers are greatly appreciated by every one of us.

LT Pazdzierski

Kandahar City cannot be compared to Spin Boldak. We left a world of dust and openness.
Spin Boldak is a place where one villager asked an interpreter “Why are you working with the Russians?”
Our new area has schools for girls and boys. Roads too narrow and congested
for our full-bodied Strykers and so we see it the way everyone else does: on foot. On foot and
passed the flatbread bakeries, the repair shops (all one mud-story high) is the city. Our COP is surrounded
by this city, by people going to work, going home and to buy bananas. Some have made our living conditions better.
What hot water feels like after breathing the city; imagine it. The children, who are so often around us,
chirp for “Kalam! Kalam!” which means pens . . . that they just might write with. But this is a fair thing to ask for.
One man in Spin Boldak months ago said “If only at the age of seven I had been given a pen instead of a rifle.
I could have done so much more.” It is with patience, and a relentless amount at that, each Trooper in MTR PLT
goes out each day shaking hands, talking to the one-story shop owners and giving seven year-olds pens (kalams)
throughout the city.

We also congratulate SSG Stabe on his re-enlistment, SPC Connell for making the front page of Stars and Stripes
and welcome back PFC Leasure and PFC Mitchell back from leave as SGT Raysor, PFC Saunders,
SPC Pompa and SPC Roslales go home to their Families.

1LT Osmack

The 2nd Platoon Diablos remain embedded in Sub-district 8 Kandahar, Afghanistan. Only one squad
currently lives at the police substation with the Afghan National Police (ANP). The Diablos’ main focus
is split between securing the local populace and mentoring the ANP. The soldiers work very hard at training
and partnering the ANP. Some of the training includes: sensitive site exploitation, IED defense, personnel searches,
basic rifle marksmanship, and first aid. Soldiers are becoming very proficient in utilizing the local national
linguist to communicate with the ANP. The ANP seem to really appreciate and understand the training
and partnering the Diablos provide them.

A typical day for a Diablo soldier includes training and partnering with the ANP on a combined
dismounted patrol to surrounding villages within Sub-district 8 interacting with the local populace in
order to enhance community relations between the ANP and the villagers. Visiting the villages on a daily basis
disrupts the enemy’s ability to operate and allows the ANP to connect with the locals and gather viable intelligence.

Notes from Diablo 6 & 7:

The 2nd Platoon Diablos are the premier fighting force of the Military Police Corps.
The soldiers within this platoon performed above and beyond what is asked of them. Due to our mission,
Diablo 7 and I require a lot from these soldiers and they continue to perform with exceptional bravery
and without waver. We feel very honored and privileged to lead such a great group of soldiers.

1LT Hoy, Derick
2nd PLT, 552nd MP CO
Diablo 6

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

BACK