2nd Battalion 149th Aviation Regiment Transfer of Authority

Photo By Daniel Ewer | Distinguished guests and visitors gathered together for the official transfer of authority ceremony between the outgoing 5-158 General Aviation Support Battalion and the incoming 2-149th General Aviation Support Battalion at the Morale Welfare and Recreational Center in Joint Base Balad, Iraq on Sept. 25, 2008.  

IRAQ

09.25.2008

Story by Staff Sgt. Lynette Hoke 

34th Expeditionary Combat Aviation Brigade

The chairs were set, the color guard was positioned and the cake was made for the transfer of authority ceremony between Task Force Ready, 5th Battalion, 159th Aviation Regiment and Task Force Joker, 2nd Battalion 149th Aviation Regiment on Sept. 25, 2008.

Each of the distinguished guests came to the podium to address the crowd who came to witness the traditional ceremony.

"Task Force Ready, you have never backed down from a mission and you never gave a quarter to the enemy," said Col. Clay. R. Brock, commander of Task Force 34. "You have set the high watermark for all who follow you ... from the Task Force 34 Command Sergeant Major, myself and all the Task Force 34 Red Bull Soldiers, well done and thank you for your service."

As the outgoing battalion prepares to leave, their accomplishments while in Iraq were not overlooked.

"Your vast accomplishments that truly bear mentioning include: over 32,000 flight hours that translate into nearly 7,000 aviator missions transporting 149,000 plus Soldiers to include 6, 352 patients that needed critical medical care, and nearly nine million pounds of cargo," said Col. Brock, commander of Task Force, "This truly illustrated the superb accomplishments of both Task Force Ready and Task Force 12."

During the ceremony, the colors of 5th Battalion, 158th Aviation Regiment were covered and the new colors of 2nd Battalion, 149th Aviation Regiment were unrolled to symbolize the new battalion, new commanders and new Soldiers taking over the mission in theater.

"Since we first met, I and the rest of Task Force Ready have been completely impressed by the professionalism, desire, and determination displayed by you and your Soldiers," said Lt. Col. Jack Bone, outgoing Battalion Commander of Task Force Ready.

After weeks of preparation, training and handing off responsibilities the outgoing battalion commander expressed his confidence in the new battalion taking over the mission in theater.

"Our country has called upon you to take on this very tough mission, and if the past few weeks are any indictor of your future performance, they have made the right choice and can sleep secure at night knowing that you are point guarding their freedom," said Lt. Col. Bone.

• Date Taken: 09.25.2008
• Date Posted: 09.29.2008 11:08
• Story ID: 24295
• Location: IQ