The newsletter provides updates on Bravo Company's recent operations and improvements at COP Charkh over the past month. It discusses the expansion of security into a nearby town, welcoming a new platoon, and saying farewell to a soldier killed in action. It also highlights improvements in housing, dining, security, and quality of life for soldiers. Soldiers of the month are recognized from each platoon for their leadership, dedication, and hard work.

1. 2nd Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment May 2011 ISSUE 3
BRAVO COMPANY NEWSLETTER
Letter from the Commander Letter from the XO
There have been a lot of Battalion Quick Reaction Force, an important but
changes here on COP Charkh not particularly fun job. I know they’re excited to
since last time I was able to get going as well. I’d like to also say thanks to
get a note to you. As I’m sure Liz Workman. Liz has been working incredibly
you now know, we spent the hard as the FRG Leader. I cannot thank you
majority of the beginning of enough for all the help you’ve given me and this
April in a company operation. company as we transitioned through the change
Your men did some great of command and the change of responsibility for
things and expanded our secu- the First Sergeant. Liz recently stepped down as
rity into the town adjacent to the FRG Leader, and 1SG Fratzke’s wife Yvette
the bazaar. This just means we are that much closer to the and my wife Molly will both be trying very hard
people. Every day, we are increasing the number of people in to fill the big shoes she left behind. Finally, we Things continue to improve here at
Charkh district who have access to the security and govern- are forced to say goodbye to one of our brothers. CCOP Charkh. Although change does
ment and all the other things that we take for granted in the During our recent operation, SGT Keith Buzinski not necessarily happen overnight here
United States. We are really starting to get a close relationship was tragically killed by enemy fire. Buz died as a it sure does over the course of a
with the people of Charkh, and we see that response in every- true hero, trying to give freedom to those who month. The line platoons continue to
thing that we do. It is making us safer and the people of have not seen it for over forty years. His loss was maintain a presence out in sector 24/7
and the headquarters platoon is keep-
Charkh safer. We’ve had a few visitors to the COP, including very hard on this company, and I ask that you ing the COP up and operational. Sol-
MG Campbell (the 101st Airborne Division and RC-East com- keep his family and friends in your thoughts and diers are able to shower every third
mander) and a set of NPR reporters. You can see articles about prayers. It has been the honor of every soldier in day. We have over half of our new
both of these visits online, and they are posted on the Com- Bravo Company to serve with him. As always, I housing units set up and soldiers are
pany Facebook page. We also get to welcome a new platoon to would like to thank you families for the support beginning to move into them and out
Bravo Company. Our new Fourth Platoon comes to us from that you give all of our soldiers. It truly is what of their tents. With the help of some
contracted electricians we have fixed
Delta Company. We are all glad to have them here and are keeps us going.
our other five MWR computers, so
looking forward to getting them out in Charkh and making a your soldier should not have to wait in
difference. So far in the deployment they’ve been stuck as the -CPT David Wilson line to use the internet. We have added
“Charkh 6” a fourth platoon to the company,
which will greatly reduce the stress on
Letter from the First Sergeant our current platoons. Lastly, we will
never forget our fallen hero, SGT
Your loved ones have have moved into brand new containerized hous- Keith Buzinski. He was a great soldier
accomplished great things ing units. As I write this, tomorrow we will be- and will be missed by all.
this past month here in gin to strike the last of the tents on the CCOP. It
-1LT Sean Cockrill
Afghanistan. This month will be huge quality of life increase to finally
“Charkh 5”
we have pushed the secu- move Soldiers out of the tents and into hardened
rity bubble in Charkh into structures. Our new Dining Facility is nearing
the village of Nawshad.
Everyday, your loved ones
completion. We are eagerly awaiting the contrac-
tor to finish the electrical work and then we will
Promotions
are making a huge increase be able to move in. Finally, we will be able to sit Our promotion list from last
in the security of Charkh down and eat a meal like the family we are. month tried to include everyone
residents. Each and every member of Team Charkh has been Daily, we are making improvements to our COP that had been promoted so far.
making a profound difference in the Charkh Valley and will defense. We have put up new security towers and We ended up including “future”
continue to do so. During the operation, SGT Buzinski made changed the whole security of the CCOP for the promotions through April, and
the ultimate sacrifice for our country and the people of Af- better this month. Your Soldier, has no doubt, missed a few guys. Here are the
ghanistan. I would ask that everyone keep his family in their said something about all the sandbags we have rest:
thoughts and prayers along with all our fallen hero’s families. been filling over the past month in order to
To PFC
They are no longer with us, but their impact on our lives and harden our buildings on the CCOP and our posi-
Jesus Burgos
the lives of the people of Charkh will never be forgotten. We tions in Nawshad. I would like to say thank you
Joshua Clark
are staying busy here, both on the Combat Outpost and in all for the unwavering support you continue to
Carlos Lopez
sector. I am staying focused on improving the quality of life give to this Company and your loved ones. I am
for your Soldier. Our hard working cooks, SGT Lopez, SPC proud to be here in Charkh and serving with these
To SPC
Black, and SPC Davis, provided a much needed hot meal to great Americans.
Bradley Runion
our Soldiers while in forward positions during our operation in
James Spann
Nawshad. We conducted a tailgate feed in combat for the first -1SG Karl Fratzke
time ever as a company. Our Mortar Section and 3rd Platoon
Justin Steffens
“Charkh 7”
Matthew Walden

2. 2nd Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment May 2011 ISSUE 2
BRAVO COMPANY NEWSLETTER
First Platoon Soldier of the Month
PV2 Cody Sommers is rifleman in 3rd Squad, 1st Platoon, Bravo Company, from Gowanda, New
York. He enlisted in the military after high school and wants to attend Ranger School after re-
deployment. His eagerness to learn and unmatched discipline make him one of the best soldiers in
1st Platoon. Throughout this deployment, PV2 Sommers had participated in Operation Charkh
Bite, Operation Charkh Attack, and Operation Charkh Breach, as well as daily dismounted patrols
throughout the area. His self-less service has doubtlessly improved the lives of the Afghan Citi-
zens in Charkh District.
Second Platoon Soldier of the Month
PFC Austin Breda is 19 years old and from Loganville, GA, and is engaged to Samantha Gallo.
Since being with the platoon PFC Breda has been an outstanding soldier. He is dedicated to learn-
ing about his new chosen profession and fits in well in the platoon. He has become one of our most
responsible young soldiers and one of the go to guys when something needs to get done. He never
complains and has continued to keep a smile on his face throughout this deployment. PFC Breda is
a great young soldier and will be an even more valuable asset later in his career.
Third Platoon Soldier of the Month
SPC Montoya has been chosen as solder of the month from 3 rd Platoon. SPC Montoya has proven
his leadership potential as acting Team leader for 3 rd squad. He has been doing an outstanding job
throughout the deployment . He spends his free time teaching classes to the incoming soldiers in
his squad. He was personally chosen to be the point man on numerous missions because of his
keen since of direction and his familiarity with Charkh district. SPC Montoya is from Alberqurqe,
New Mexico and was recently married before he deployed in October.
Fourth Platoon Soldier of the Month
PFC Brian Kilduff is the soldier of the month for 4 th Platoon Bravo Company 2-30 IN. PFC
Kilduff, 24, is from Franklin, NJ. He enlisted in the United States Army in 2010 as an Infantryman
and attended One Station Unit Training at Fort Benning Georgia before arriving to Fort Polk, LA.
PFC Kilduff deployed with 2-30 IN to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in
October 2010. Since then he has served as an RTO, Gunner, and Grenadier. PFC Kilduff is an ex-
emplary soldier with great leadership potential. He exhibits excellent technical knowledge and is
always first to help fellow soldiers. His hard work, positive attitude and attention to detail have
greatly benefited the platoon, and he continues to set the standard for his peers to follow.
Headquarters Platoon Soldier of the Month
Specialist Becaccico Jerro stepped up as the head maintenance soldier on the CCOP
while SSG Brimmer was on leave. SPC Jerro went above and beyond what was expected
from him. SPC Jerro worked tirelessly in order to keep all of the platoons vehicles opera-
tional and keep all the buildings on the CCOP running. Specialist Jerro has done more
than his share of work for the company this month and his hard work has not gone with-
out notice.
“OUR COUNTRY, NOT OURSELVES”