2-127th Soldiers leave perfect as 515th assumes command during TOA

Photo By Spc. Maurice Galloway | "The Soldiers of Task Force 515th are ready to continue the work at Camp Bucca," said Lt. Col. Kenneth A. Nava, 515th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, commander, during the final words of his speech to all who attended the transfer of authority ceremony on Camp Bucca, Jan. 10.  

BASRA, IRAQ

01.12.2010

Story by Spc. Maurice Galloway 

17th Field Artillery Brigade

CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE BASRA, Iraq — "No attacks on Bucca and no successful attacks on coalition forces in the Bucca operational environment on our watch. That was our battalion's mission and through your efforts we accomplished that mission perfectly," said Lt. Col. Brad S. Anderson, 2nd Battalion, 127th Infantry Regiment commander.

Anderson, relinquished operational control of Camp Bucca to Lt. Col. Kenneth A. Nava, commander of the 515th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion during a transfer of authority ceremony held on Camp Bucca, Jan. 10.

Once home to about 20,000 prisoners, Camp Bucca, which is located just short of the Kuwaiti border, was Iraq's premier holding facility for persons suspected of crimes. The facility remained opened up until September 2009.

Now the base will serve as a strategic strong point for U.S. and Iraqi security forces as they carry on the continued partnership until the eventual drawdown of U.S. Forces in Iraq.

"I am very happy to transfer operational authority of Camp Bucca today, because it means that we are on our way home," said Anderson. "To the Soldiers of 2-127th Infantry, you have all done an exceptional job. You should return home proud of your accomplishments, proud of your service and proud of this fine battalion," he added.

The Wisconsin National Guard unit deployed to Iraq with the unique mission of transporting the remaining detainees from the camp's prison into the custody of the Iraqi Police as stated and agreed upon in the security agreement between the U.S. and Iraq.

This transfer of authority ceremony is amongst the first under the new U.S. Forces- Iraq and begins the drawdown of U.S. troops to 50,000 remaining in the country by September.

The 2-127th Inf. Reg., and the 132nd Brigade Support Battalion comprised of Wisconsin and Michigan Guardsmen who provided logistics for the 2-127th Inf. Reg. is replaced by a single unit, the 515th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, a National Guard unit based out of New Mexico.

The 515th CSSB, commanded by Nava, is tasked with an unfamiliar role here in Basra province for a combat sustainment support battalion.

"We find ourselves doing a nonstandard mission for a CSSB. We want to thank the Soldiers from the 2-127th; 132nd BSB and the 17th Fires Brigade for the excellent transition they have provided us," Nava said.

Jokingly Nava said that he appreciated the unit's diligent efforts to mark all the land mines for them as they begin their mission in Bucca.

"The Soldiers of 515th are ready to continue the work here on Camp Bucca alongside our friends at Safwan and Umm-Qasr," Nava said.

• Date Taken: 01.12.2010
• Date Posted: 01.12.2010 13:00
• Story ID: 43725
• Location: BASRA, IQ