Rakkasans assume control

Photo By Sgt. Cassandra Groce | Col. Michael Steele, Rakkasan commander of the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, is the incoming commander. "Freedom...is not free," said Steele. "Nobody knows that better than the Soldiers of this regiment."  

TIKRIT, IRAQ

01.05.2006

Courtesy Story

133rd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

PFC Cassandra Groce
133rd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

TIKRIT, Iraq (January 5, 2005) -- The 3rd Brigade Combat Team Rakkasans, 101st Airborne Division, assumed control of operations in the Salah Ad Din Province from the 1st Brigade Combat Team Raiders, 3rd Infantry Division, in a ceremony at Forwarding Operating Base Speicher on Thursday.

Various Iraqi officials attended the ceremony including Lt. Gen Abdel Aziz, Iraqi Army 4th division commander, and Humad Mumood Shugti governor of Salah Ad Din.

The ceremony opened with the Iraqi national anthem and the United States national anthem played by the 101st Army Band.

The Raiders provided security and guidance through the constitution, referendums and the elections in the province. They have also trained and equipped four Iraqi Security Forces battalions.

"Since their arrival in January [2005], the accomplishments of this brigade [Raiders] have been remarkable," said Maj. Gen Thomas Turner, commander of 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault).

The Raider's commander, Col. Mark McKnight, spoke of returning home to Ft. Stewart, Ga., where trees are planted along Warrior Walk in honor of fallen Soldiers. Fifty-five new trees will be planted there to honor Soldiers from his brigade.

"Because of their courage, freedom is growing in Iraq," said McKnight. "They will always be a part of Iraq."

The Rakkasans have been preparing for this deployment for the past 18 months while transforming to a modular brigade. They have already been conducting missions throughout the province for the past three months, but today was the official hand over.

Col. Michael Steele, the Rakkasan commander, spoke of freedom as well to the Iraqi officials.

"Rakkasans are professional combat soldiers, and we're ready to work with Iraqi counterparts for a free Iraq," said Steele. "But we can't give you your freedom. You have to earn it."

"It's time to go to work," said Steele in conclusion.

The Rakkasans have a rich history dating back more than fifty years. During World War II they received the name Rakkasans while conducting a combat airborne mission in Japan. In Vietnam they took Hamburger Hill.

"They [Rakkasans] will add another chapter to their remarkable history as they help Iraq to build a new Iraq with a representative government that respects all it's people," said Turner.

• Date Taken: 01.05.2006
• Date Posted: 01.05.2006 15:23
• Story ID: 4288
• Location: TIKRIT, IQ