First III Corps unit redeploys, XVIII arrives - 20th Engineer Brigade assumes control of MNC-I C7

Photo By Spc. Stephanie Homan | Col. Daniel Grey, incoming Multi-National Corps-Iraq C7 director, 20th Engineer Brigade, XVIII Airborne Corps, speaks at the transfer of authority ceremony for Multi-National Corps-Iraq C7 on Aug. 7 at Camp Victory. Grey welcomed the many challenges his unit faces and thanked the military for the opportunity to serve. The ceremony marked the redeployment of the first III Corps, Fort Hood Soldiers back to Texas and welcomed the first element of the XVIII Airborne Corps.  

BAGHDAD, IRAQ

08.12.2007

Story by Spc. Stephanie Homan 

Multi-National Corps Iraq Public Affairs

By Army Spc. Stephanie Homan
Multi-National Corps-Iraq Public Affairs

CAMP VICTORY, Iraq -- The 20th Engineer Brigade, XVIII Airborne Corps, assumed responsibility from Detachment 4, 420th Engineer Brigade, III Corps, as Multi-National Corps-Iraq's C7 during a transfer of authority ceremony at Camp Victory Tuesday.

The 24 Soldiers of Det. 4, 420th Eng. Bde., stood tall as they received their honors. Army Col. Juan Fernandez, outgoing MNC-I C7 director, Det. 4, 420th Eng. Bde. turned over responsibility to Army Col. Daniel Grey, 20th Eng. Bde., and his Soldiers.

After the Soldiers of 420th received awards and honors, Army Brig. Gen. Joseph Anderson, MNC-I, chief of staff, recognized the detachment's many accomplishments during its tour in Iraq and welcomed the 20th Eng. Bde. to duty.

"Over 5,500 reconstruction projects, worth over 750 million dollars, were planned, funded and executed during the last 11 months. That is no small feat," Anderson said. "I know the (20th Eng. Bde.) is up to the challenge and will continue to work to make this country a safe and secure place for Iraqis and our Soldiers."

Fernandez welcomed the 20th Eng. Bde. by saying, "Many challenges remain, but I have no doubt you will succeed."

Fernandez and Grey unveiled the engineer castle, signifying the transfer of authority.

The transfer was significant because the 20th Eng. Bde. Is the first element of XVIII Airborne Corps, which will resume responsibility of MNC-I next year, to arrive in theater. Det. 4, 420th Eng. Bde. is the first III Corps unit to redeploy to Fort Hood, Texas.

The ceremony concluded with remarks from Grey and the playing of the Engineer and Army songs.

"If you are an engineer in the military today, there is absolutely no other place to be than right here," Grey said. "If you allow me a sports analogy, if you join a team it is not to sit on the bench. Thanks coach, chief, sir, for putting us in."

• Date Taken: 08.12.2007
• Date Posted: 08.12.2007 03:17
• Story ID: 11746
• Location: BAGHDAD, IQ