Griffin Soldiers leave LSA Anaconda for new mission

Courtesy Photo | Staff Sgt. Cedric T. Lowe, a human resource sergeant for 3rd Battalion, 158th Aviation Regiment, works on a report for his battalion. Lowe is one of many Task Force XII Soldiers that are taking on the mission of becoming the aviation task force for Multi-National Division – Baghdad.  

TAJI, IRAQ

12.20.2007

Courtesy Story

Multi-National Division Baghdad

By Sgt. Brandon Little
Task Force XII Public Affairs Office

CAMP TAJI, Iraq—Some Soldiers may view a deployment as a never-ending case of déjà-vu, but for many Task Force XII Soldiers it's been the complete opposite.

In the last month, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, Task Force XII has trained and transferred the mission of providing direct aviation support to Multi-National Corps – Iraq to Task Force 49; then packed and moved to Camp Taji.

Since their move to Taji, they have taken on the vital mission of becoming the aviation task force for Multi-National Division – Baghdad.

Each and every challenge placed in front of these Soldiers, in the last few months, has been taken on and successfully accomplished, said Col. Timothy J. Edens, the commander of Task Force XII.

The challenge of fulfilling this role, previously occupied by the 1st Air Cavalry Brigade, from Fort Hood, Texas, must be accomplished.

"This just means that our command has a lot of confidence in us," said Staff Sgt. Cedric T. Lowe, the human resource sergeant for 3rd Battalion, 158th Aviation Regiment. "(We) have a lot of motivated people who are excited about their jobs, so we will definitely be just as successful here as we were in (Logistics Support Area Anaconda)."

In addition to its headquarters company, Task Force XII is comprised of the 4th Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, from Fort Hood Texas; the 3-158th, also known as "Task Force Storm"; and a Forward Logistics Element from the 412th Aviation Support Battalion.

"Our job (in Camp Taji) is to help provide communication support for Task Force XII," said 1st Lt. Heidi Connelly, the Joint Node platoon leader for the FLE. "So far, our transition into this role has been pretty smooth and painless."

The FLE only has 74 Soldiers, and for many of these Soldiers, as well as the Soldiers from 3-158th, the move from LSA Anaconda will mean more than just a zip code change, said Connelly, a native of Allentown, Pa.

"There will be a change in the actual mission, I'm sure of that," said Lowe, a 13-year Army veteran and native of Shellman, Ga. "There won't be any change as far as our capability to accomplish the mission."

Lowe, and the other Soldiers of Task Force XII, will have to adjust to this change in mission as they perform a relief in place with the Soldiers from 1st ACB.

"I think everything is going great so far, and everyone is doing a good job," said Spc. Jackson Longcamp, a paralegal specialist in 4/3 ACR and native of Brooklyn, New York. "I also think the chow hall food is a lot better here than it is in Texas, and once I get the internet in my room this place will be perfect."

Although transitioning to Camp Taji might not have been easy for some of the Soldiers, they will surely exceed all expectations as they have done in the past, said Edens.

"Everything you have accomplished has come at a price," he said. "A great deal of that price has been, and continues to be, the sacrifices made by your Families. I am extremely proud of the Soldiers and Families of Task Force XII, and I hope all of you will continue to do great things."

• Date Taken: 12.20.2007
• Date Posted: 12.20.2007 18:37
• Story ID: 14896
• Location: TAJI, IQ