1) The newsletter provides updates on Bravo Company's activities in Afghanistan over the past month, including small operations that have allowed progress, improvements to living conditions on the combat outpost, and recognition of Soldiers of the Month from each platoon. 2) Letters from the company commander and executive officer discuss continuing work to improve life on the combat outpost, such as fixing laundry facilities, building new housing, and hiring a contractor to provide meals. 3) The first sergeant also welcomes improvements to living conditions including new housing and laundry services, while thanking soldiers and their families for their support.

1. 2nd Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment April 2011 ISSUE 2
BRAVO COMPANY NEWSLETTER
Letter from the Commander Letter from the Executive Officer
Hello once and the families that have been around Each day we con- to fix our laundry fa-
again. I know Bravo for a while will be able to meet tinue to make pro- cility, as well as run a
you’re likely some of the Soldiers before we even gress both on the mini laundromat on
getting used come home. I’d like to take this oppor- COP and outside our COP. Addition-
to hearing this tunity to welcome 1SG Fratzke and his of the COP. The ally, our cooks have
from me, but family to our company, and say good- headquarters pla- begun cooking three
your guys bye to 1SG Woerner. 1SG Woerner will toon continues to hot meals a day. Head-
have been be continuing to develop Soldiers as a support the com- quarters will continue
busy working 1SG in BSTB. I’d also like to congratu- pany each day, to support the com-
very hard here in Charkh District. Over the late all the newly promoted Soldiers ensuring that eve- pany and strive to im-
past month we conducted a few small and NCOs, and congratulate SSG (P) ryone has the prove life on the COP
scale operations that have really let us Workman on making the SFC list. On equipment neces- for you soldier.
make some progress here. Each day we see the right of this page you’ll see all the sary to carry out -1LT Sean Cockrill
changes in how the people interact with us promotions since we deployed. We’ll their daily mis- “Charkh 5”
and our Afghan Army counterparts. Our list new ones each month. Make sure to sions and routines.
partners change out about every eight take a look. I’ve been slacking a little Our maintenance
weeks or so to conduct training with their on my weekly emails, but I’ll try to do team has kept our
Promotions
battalion. The newest group is the best yet. better. As always, I’d like to thank you shower facilities To PFC
We can really see progress in the units for your unwavering support of our operational, so Abraham Segovia
each time they return. You’ll notice a dif- Soldiers. We certainly notice it here, that each soldier Alexander Thomas
ferent format for the newsletter this month. and the love and support that you send can receive a Cody Summers
We will have the platoons highlight a is what keeps us going. Thank you. shower every 3-4 To SPC
“Soldier of the Month” and write a bit days. We are in Sage Williams
about him. This should help the new fami- -CPT David Wilson the process of Zachary Williams
lies of Bravo get to know the other guys, “Charkh 6” hiring a contractor Ronald Woods
Jason Woods
James Hinkle
Letter from the First Sergeant Andy Vo
Christopher Reece
First, I would take only have to share with one other person. Our Christian Young
the time, to introduce laundry services here have been suffering, as we Eric Nish
my self; I am 1SG only four washers and dryers and with the heavy Eric Fisher
Fratzke, the new First use we give them, three washers have gone down. Christopher Sarmiento
Sergeant for Bravo We have submitted a contract to have laundry ser- James Bishop
Company. I am hon- vice on the COP and are the early stages of con- Kevin Jones
ored to have the op- structing a laundry point, as well. In the meantime, Jeremiah Montoya
portunity to lead this the Company Executive Officer, 1LT Cockrill, has Ricardo Sanchez
Company along side been getting our laundry sling loaded on helicop- Saikwan Corbitt
CPT Wilson and ters to FOB Altimur to be washed for us. The To CPL
serve with your loved ones. Bravo Company has smell of the COP has improved, greatly! Daily, we Thomas Servais
accomplished great things here in Afghanistan. Each are making improvements to our COP defense. Andrew Collins
and every member of Team Charkh has been making The Combat Engineers have nearly completed our Cameron Misrasi
a profound difference in the Charkh Valley and will expansion of the perimeter which will allow us to Christopher Soderlund
continue to do so. We are staying busy here, both on have a place to park our vehicles and remove all James Wartes
the Combat Outpost and in sector. I am focusing on the clutter on the COP. I would like to say thank To SGT
improving the quality of life for your Soldier. you all for the unwavering support you continue to Seth Lecroix
Thanks to our hard working cooks, SGT Lopez and give to this Company and your loved ones. I am Sean Crimmins
SPC Davis, all the men are now getting three hot proud to be here in Charkh and serving with these James Roe
meals a day. Within the month, our Mortar Section, great Americans. Sean Messett
2nd Platoon, and 3rd Platoon should be moving into To SSG
brand new containerized housing units which will -1SG Karl Fratzke Christopher L. Jones
provide those Soldiers with a room that they will “Charkh 7” Reynaldo Dayuha

2. 2nd Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment April 2011 ISSUE 2
BRAVO COMPANY NEWSLETTER
First Platoon Soldier of the Month
Specialist Williams’ is an infantry soldier and it shows.
outstanding soldier, serving as His courage sets him apart
a grenadier in 1st squad, 1st and causes other soldiers look
platoon. He is from Mon- to him for guidance during the
mouth, Illinois and joined the most crucial of situations. He
Army in May 2009. Prior to has been a vital asset to Bravo
coming to Ft. Polk and TF Company during combat op-
Storm in June 2010 he spent erations in Logar Province,
time at Ft. Benning, GA. He Charkh District, Afghanistan
sets standards for lower
enlisted soldiers to follow. He
takes pride in his job as an
Second Platoon Soldier of the Month
Specialist Joshua Gonzalez is toon he never shies away
from Olathe, Kansas. Special- from a heavy work load, and
ist Gonzalez is a machine gun- is willing to do whatever it
ner who carries the MK 48 in takes to get the job done. He
4th squad, 2nd platoon. He has always asks for more respon-
been with the unit since June sibility and is a good example
2009, and he is on his first for the rest of the platoon
deployment. Specialist Gon-
zalez always has and high
morale and is always making
the platoon laugh. In the pla-
Third Platoon Soldier of the Month
Corporal Christopher Soder- numerous patrols. On his off
lund is the Bravo team leader time CPL Soderlund helps
for 3rd squad 3rd Platoon. He is teach new soldiers of the Pla-
from Alexanderia, La and was toon weapons sustainment
stationed a Fort Irwin Califor- training, basic first aid, and
nia before being stationed at radio familiarization training.
Fort Polk. CPL Soderlund has CPL Soderlund also takes the
shown his great leadership initiative and organizes the
abilities by planning routes for AAR’s after every mission.
missions and taking point on
Headquarters Platoon Soldier of the Month
Specialist Erik Mitchell leads unique ability to adapt to
the Bravo Company Intelli- whatever mission he is tasked.
gence Cell. He diligent effort Each day, Specialist Mitchell
ensures Bravo Company lead- scours through dozens of re-
ers are armed with critical ports and analyzes a dynamic
information and intelligence environment and articulates
each time they leave on patrol. complex ideas in a manner
As an infantry Soldier, Spe- that is useful to the entire
“Our Country, Not Ourselves!” cialist Mitchell displays a company.