Iron Brigade Soldiers complete move to Multi-National Division - Baghdad, Camp Striker

Photo By Pfc. Evan Loyd | Sgt. Tony Harvey, a native of Columbus, Ga., who serves with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 6th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, Multi-National Division - Baghdad, enjoys a coffee from the local Green Beans Coffee Shop at Camp Striker, Nov. 8. The Iron Brigade recently moved to Camp Striker from Forward Operating Base Hammer and now falls under the operational umbrella of MND-B.  

BAGHDAD, IRAQ

11.23.2008

Courtesy Story

2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division

Multi-National Division – Baghdad

CAMP LIBERTY, Iraq – Every Soldier must be ready at a moment's notice to move out and complete the mission at hand, even an entire a brigade combat team and its three battalions.

That is exactly what the Soldiers of 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, did as they were repositioned from Forward Operating Base Hammer in the Mada'in Qada, to Camp Striker in the Victory Base Complex and realigned to fall beneath the operational control of Multi-National Division – Baghdad.

"This headquarters and unit repositioning better situates our brigade leadership and our logistical assets for command and control support to all of our subordinate units," said Lt. Col. Jason Kirk, a native of Garland, Texas, who serves as the brigade executive officer with 2nd BCT, also known as the Iron Brigade.

The 2nd BCT, 1st Armd. Div., has been deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom since April in southeastern Baghdad province, attached to Multi-National Division – Center. The brigade partnered with the Iraqi security forces in Mada'in to conduct training and develop a more professional force. These connections and commitments across Mada'in will continue.

The Iron Brigade is now attached to Multi-National Division – Baghdad, and will work to build similar working relationships with the government and security leaders in the Mahmudiyah Qada, south of Baghdad.

"This is a big step forward for us," said Lt. Col. Michael Runey, a Killeen, Texas, native, who serves as chief of plans with 4th Infantry Division, MND-B. "Having 2nd BCT, 1st Armd. Div. as part of MND-B assures we are fully partnered with Iraq across the Baghdad province."

"They are the key piece for coordination in the southern Qada," he added

The Mahmudiyah Qada has been under the operational control of 3rd BCT, 101st Airborne Division, for the last year and has shown a steady drop in violence and an increasingly more capable Iraqi army division.

The move, on a large scale is one that will further the security of the entire Baghdad province, but is also one that Iron Brigade Soldiers have benefitted from as well.

Because of Camp Striker's larger size and proximity to Baghdad, the Soldiers stationed here now have easier access to internet capabilities, cell phone coverage, a bazaar comprised of six Iraqi-owned shops, three fast food restaurants, a coffee shop and a gift shop. Also, there is a large, well-stocked post exchange.

"There is a lot of opportunity on Striker for Soldiers that we didn't have on [FOB] Hammer. It's great that we are close to the gym, Morale Welfare and Recreation center, PX and the connectivity to the outside world is really good and allows Soldiers to stay in better touch with their families back home and do correspondence courses online," said Staff Sgt. Jorge Cornejo, a native of Brentwood, N.Y., who serves with the CSD team, 2nd BCT, 1st Armd. Div., MND-B.

Any large-scale movement of an Army unit, no matter the size, is something that takes planning and effort at all levels. With the hard work of that move behind them, the Iron Brigade Soldiers, along with the Ironhorse Soldiers of 4th Inf. Div. and MND-B can work together with steel resolve to keep Baghdad province on course toward permanent and sustainable security.

• Date Taken: 11.23.2008
• Date Posted: 11.23.2008 14:50
• Story ID: 26690
• Location: BAGHDAD, IQ