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By Ryan Eliott
14th Public Affairs Detachment
FORWARD OPERATING BASE WARHORSE - The 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment took the reins of responsibility for the Diyala region from the 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division during a Transition of Authority ceremony held in Sgt. 1st Class David J. Salie Fitness Center on Forward Operating Base Warhorse, June 1.
"It's a great day to be in the cavalry and a great day to be a Dragoon," said Lt. Col. Bryan Denny, deputy commander, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment.
"The 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team gave the Iraqi people of the Diyala province hope," said Maj. Gen. Mark P. Hertling, commander of Task Force Iron and Multi-National Division - North.
"Were on the brink of great things in Diyala and must work hard to capitalize on them," said Denny.
Speaking to the Soldiers of the 2nd SCR Denny said. "Keep up the pressure on al-Qaida and other extremist organizations, and embrace your Iraqi counterparts as we are surely united on a common struggle against tyranny and evil."
During the Raider Brigade's time here, they have cleared more than 40,000 kilometers of road, destroyed more than 2,100 improvised explosive devices and most importantly we've brought more than 12,000 Iraqis out of the darkness and into Sons of Iraq and other roles to provide security for their own nation, said Col. Jon S. Lehr, commander, 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd infantry Division.
"Today the Diyala region is flourishing, because of the efforts of the Raiders Brigade," Hertling went on to say.
Speaking to the Soldiers of the 4-2 Hertling said, "The Raiders Brigade efforts have allowed the Iraqis to establish their own Army and their own police as well as bring peace to their own people."
"Our efforts have allowed a fledgling democracy to take hold," said Lehr.
On the one hand, we are excited to go home to our country and families, said Lehr, but the Soldiers of 4-2 have forged deep long lasting relationships.
"The Iraqis will ultimately defeat the insurgents, said Lehr. It is the responsibility of the 2nd SCR now to lay the ground work to allow this to occur."
The 2nd Cavalry Regiment is the longest serving Cavalry Regiment in the United States. It is more than capable to take the place of the Raiders Brigade and provide the same outstanding leadership and aggressive posture that the Raiders Brigade has done in the Diyala province, said Hertling.
"I recognize and appreciate what a great job the Raider Brigade has done in the Diyala province and can assure you the Dragoons will continue the struggle for a free and democratic Iraq in a place whose importance cannot be underestimated," said Denny, "The Dragoons accept this mission and will fight with our Iraqi partners, we will move forward and take the Diyala province to the next level in a free and democratic Iraq."
| Date Taken: | 06.04.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 06.04.2008 07:34 |
| Story ID: | 20093 |
| Location: | BAQUBAH, IQ |
| Web Views: | 912 |
| Downloads: | 886 |
This work, Raiders, Dragoons conclude Transition, by SPC Ryan Elliott, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
