Lt. Col Holcroft develops leaders through mission command

Photo By Capt. Fernando Ochoa | U.S. Army Lt. Col. Robert S. Holcroft, 1-1 Attack Reconnaissance Battalion, Task Force Gunfighter commander, talks to Alpha Company/1-1 ARB leadership, during a battlefield circulation to gain a first-hand understanding and context of his unit’s mission, manpower, and equipment. The Coalition is in Iraq by invitation of, and operates in close coordination with, the Government of Iraq.  

ERBIL , IRAQ

06.22.2019

Story by Capt. Fernando Ochoa 

244th Expeditionary Combat Aviation Brigade

ERBIL, Iraq - Just days following his battalion change of command, U.S. Army Lt. Col. Robert S. Holcroft, 1-1 Attack Reconnaissance Battalion, Task Force Gunfighter commander, conducted a deliberate battlefield circulation to gain a first-hand understanding and context of his unit’s mission, manpower and equipment June 22, 2019.

The 1-1 Attack Reconnaissance Battalion, from Fort Riley, Kansas, is an active component, attack aviation battalion with a historic lineage under the 1st Infantry Division. They are currently deployed to Iraq in support of Combined Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve. The battalion headquarters for TF Gunfighter, combines aviation assets from Active Army, Army National Guard and U.S. Army Reserve.

The TF Gunfighter delivers attack and reconnaissance, medical evacuation, air assault, and passenger and equipment transport across all of Iraq as part of CJTF-OIR, enhancing the Coalition’s capacity to conduct the Defeat Daesh mission.

“Our mission is to Advise and Assist partner forces and enable the success of the Iraqi Security Forces,” said Lt. Col. Holcroft. “In the end, it is the Iraqi military and security forces who must ensure the long-term stability and security of their great nation.”

Accompanied by U.S. Army Lt. Col. Michael Armstrong, 244th Combat Aviation Brigade, TF Warhawk, deputy commanding officer, Lt. Col. Holcroft visited multiple locations across his area of operations.

U.S. Army Capt. Adam Fulling, Alpha Company/1-1 Attack Reconnaissance Battalion commander, provides maneuver, firepower and medical evacuation to Coalition Forces.

“We are devoted to ensuring that everything we do is for the Coalition and partner forces who put their lives on the line,” said Fulling, describing the focal point of his detachment.

With more than 600 Soldiers under his command, spanning 11 locations, Lt. Col. Holcroft must execute effective mission command to be successful. Since taking command of the task force, he has focused efforts on providing clear intent, policy and standards, coupled with the trust in junior leaders to execute with disciplined initiative.

“The most difficult portion comes in verification. Leaders pour forth trust, but without verification, they do not fully realize the risks they are assuming,” said Lt. Col. Holcroft.

CJTF-OIR works by, with, and through partner forces to defeat Daesh in designated areas of Iraq and Syria, and sets conditions for follow-on operations to increase regional stability.

• Date Taken: 06.22.2019
• Date Posted: 07.18.2019 09:07
• Story ID: 331939
• Location: ERBIL , IQ