Congratulations on making it to the month of June! By the time you read this we will be well inside the 60 day window to Fort Carson, or as a soldier reminded me today, only seven more laundry days! Needless to say all are excited about the prospect of returning home as we begin to pack up non-essential items for early loading. Despite our ever more rapidly approaching exodus, leaders and soldiers alike are continuing to maintain a vigilant and focused attitude, perhaps even more so as we all wish to cross the finish line together.

Hardrock continues to successfully execute a myriad of tasks. During the second week of May, 1st Platoon conducted a long (16 hours) vehicular mission to escort the Iraqi Battalion we work with on leave. The Iraqi military has to rotate through leave every three weeks or so because this country does not have a working electronic funds transfer infrastructure and soldiers need to physically bring their paycheck home. The mission took us all the way to the eastern border of Iraq. While waiting for the return trip the platoon stayed at LSA Anaconda just north of Baghdad where they were able to enjoy a 24-hour PX, Burger King, Pizza Hut, movie theater, and both an outdoor and indoor swimming pool, in addition to eating at one of the five excellent KBR (Kellogg, Brown, and Root) dining facilities. I was fascinated to see that the third-party national dining facility workers wear white shirt and bow tie. Pretty posh, but in true Hardrock fashion, after 5 days of such luxurious surroundings the soldiers were ready to leave and return to their fellow Hardrock brothers and continue mission! What more could I say in praise.

1st Platoon also had the privilege of conducting the Battalion's first air assault raid a few nights ago, targeting insurgents conducting IDF attacks (indirect fire) against Coalition Forces. Flying in CH-46 helicopters, which is a smaller version of the CH-47 Chinook we often flew in Korea, the platoon hit the objective in the dark of night, and were in and out of the OBJ (objective) in 30 minutes. That included unloading, consolidation, movement to the target house, raid, EPW operations, restaging, and reloading in 30 minutes. All in the middle of the night on unfamiliar terrain. Absolutely phenomenal job, and as an air assault unit, greatly enjoyed by all.

I write this letter after returning several hours ago from a successful Battalion cache sweep/cordon and search with a Hardrock platoon and an Iraqi platoon. The company uncovered several caches buried in fields consisting of RPG launchers, RPG rounds, small arms and ammunition, hand grenades and various other military equipment, all in good condition. (The several black masks found with one of the caches are a telltale sign that this stuff is not for hunting the local wildlife!). Detained multiple individuals associated with these caches, as we continue to grind away at making Iraqi safe and free.

CPT John H. Sandler
Company Commander