Leaders honor Warrior Brigade during transfer of responsibility
http://www.drum.army.mil/sites/postnews/blizzard/blizzard_online/hnews.asp?id=2
Col. David Paschal, 1BCT commander, steadies his unit's guidon as Command Sgt. Maj. Corbly Elsbury, 1st BCT senior enlisted leader, ties the protective casing shut following the brigade's transfer of responsibility ceremony Thursday at FOB Warrior in Kirkuk, Iraq. Photo by Spec. Josh LeCappelain
By Spec. Josh LeCappelain
10th Mountain Division Journalist
CAMP VICTORY, Iraq – Nearly 150 miles away from the farthest reaches of his command, Maj. Gen. Michael Oates, Multinational Division – Center and 10th Mountain Division (LI) commander, traveled to Kirkuk and Forward Operating Base Warrior to pay tribute to 1st Brigade Combat Team.The Warrior Brigade completed a transition of responsibility to 18th Engineer Brigade on Thursday after more than a year of support for Operation Iraqi Freedom.“I am very proud Maj. Gen. Oates is here with us as well,” said Oates’ counterpart at MND-North, Maj. Gen. Mark Hertling (who also commands 1st Armored Division), to the gathered crowd.
“I wanted him to know the kinds of things his Soldiers have done. “I say ‘his Soldiers’ with a little bit of pain,” he continued, “as we hate to give them back.”
Hertling spoke to the crowd about the impact Warrior Brigade had in stabilizing security and partnering with Iraqi Security Forces in Kirkuk Province.
He highlighted their accomplishments, noting that Kirkuk had seen better security, better economic prospects for residents, a better-trained and more functional ISF, as well as a close relationship with U.S. State Department counterparts, which had not been the case before 1st BCT’s deployment.Col. David Paschal, 1st BCT commander, thanked colleagues of the brigade who helped them throughout their deployment, highlighting contributions of the Provincial Reconstruction Team and 506th Air Expeditionary Group, as well as significant strides that had been made by their Iraqi partners in Kirkuk.“I am truly honored to be among you,” he said, before transitioning into some of the highlights of the brigade’s tour. “We worked alongside the Iraqi Army and Iraqi Police to reduce violence in the province by 70 percent. The IA continues to grow in capabilities and capacity.”Leaders also discussed 1st BCT’s involvement in significant economic developments, infrastructure improvements and improved stability in Kirkuk Province.
“I remain confident that the best days of the Kirkuk Province lie ahead,” Paschal added.
He also called for a moment of silence for the 15 Warrior Brigade Soldiers who gave their lives in support of an improved Iraq, as well as numerous Iraqi martyrs who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country’s future.Col. Matthew Russell, 18th Engineer Brigade commander, thanked the leadership and staff of 1st BCT for a smooth, easy transition. He said he hoped his unit was able to build off the numerous successes that 1st BCT Soldiers accomplished during their tour of duty in Iraq.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/18th_Engineer_Brigade_(United_States)
http://www.drum.army.mil/sites/postnews/blizzard/blizzard_online/hnews.asp?id=2
Col. David Paschal, 1BCT commander, steadies his unit's guidon as Command Sgt. Maj. Corbly Elsbury, 1st BCT senior enlisted leader, ties the protective casing shut following the brigade's transfer of responsibility ceremony Thursday at FOB Warrior in Kirkuk, Iraq. Photo by Spec. Josh LeCappelain
By Spec. Josh LeCappelain
10th Mountain Division Journalist
CAMP VICTORY, Iraq – Nearly 150 miles away from the farthest reaches of his command, Maj. Gen. Michael Oates, Multinational Division – Center and 10th Mountain Division (LI) commander, traveled to Kirkuk and Forward Operating Base Warrior to pay tribute to 1st Brigade Combat Team.The Warrior Brigade completed a transition of responsibility to 18th Engineer Brigade on Thursday after more than a year of support for Operation Iraqi Freedom.“I am very proud Maj. Gen. Oates is here with us as well,” said Oates’ counterpart at MND-North, Maj. Gen. Mark Hertling (who also commands 1st Armored Division), to the gathered crowd.
“I wanted him to know the kinds of things his Soldiers have done. “I say ‘his Soldiers’ with a little bit of pain,” he continued, “as we hate to give them back.”
Hertling spoke to the crowd about the impact Warrior Brigade had in stabilizing security and partnering with Iraqi Security Forces in Kirkuk Province.
He highlighted their accomplishments, noting that Kirkuk had seen better security, better economic prospects for residents, a better-trained and more functional ISF, as well as a close relationship with U.S. State Department counterparts, which had not been the case before 1st BCT’s deployment.Col. David Paschal, 1st BCT commander, thanked colleagues of the brigade who helped them throughout their deployment, highlighting contributions of the Provincial Reconstruction Team and 506th Air Expeditionary Group, as well as significant strides that had been made by their Iraqi partners in Kirkuk.“I am truly honored to be among you,” he said, before transitioning into some of the highlights of the brigade’s tour. “We worked alongside the Iraqi Army and Iraqi Police to reduce violence in the province by 70 percent. The IA continues to grow in capabilities and capacity.”Leaders also discussed 1st BCT’s involvement in significant economic developments, infrastructure improvements and improved stability in Kirkuk Province.
“I remain confident that the best days of the Kirkuk Province lie ahead,” Paschal added.
He also called for a moment of silence for the 15 Warrior Brigade Soldiers who gave their lives in support of an improved Iraq, as well as numerous Iraqi martyrs who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country’s future.Col. Matthew Russell, 18th Engineer Brigade commander, thanked the leadership and staff of 1st BCT for a smooth, easy transition. He said he hoped his unit was able to build off the numerous successes that 1st BCT Soldiers accomplished during their tour of duty in Iraq.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/18th_Engineer_Brigade_(United_States)
Kirkuk Memorial
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