Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Jeff Troth | Staff Sgt. Christopher Gilliland (left) and Sgt. Casimer Rzanca hang the Big Red One...... read more read more
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CAMP TAJI, Iraq – Under an unusually blue Iraqi sky, the Combat Aviation Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, took control of the skies of central and western Iraq during a transfer of authority ceremony between the CAB and the 1st Air Cavalry Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division April 15.
The ceremony marked an end to the 1ACB's year-long tour in Iraq. A year marked with many varied missions, but each of them had one thing in common.
"A simple equation we tried to apply to all our operations – including our operations with our Iraqi air force brothers – mutual trust plus personal relationships equals quality [air ground integration]," said Col. Douglas Gabram, the 1ACB commander, before heading back to Fort Hood, Texas.
The CAB, which recently arrived in Iraq from Fort Riley, Kan., will use this equation during their time here. This is the CAB's second tour to Iraq, having completed a 15-month deployment in December 2008. Although a deployment is nothing new to the CAB, the operation they will now be supporting is.
"We are humble Soldiers from Kansas, with a mighty task ahead of us," said Col. Frank Muth, CAB commander. "We are trained and ready to accomplish whatever is required of us in support of operations Iraqi Freedom and New Dawn."
The CAB will be on hand to usher in a new operation in Iraq Sept. 1. Although Operation New Dawn will change the role of U.S. ground forces to assistance and support, the CAB mission will remain the same – supporting ground forces.
The CAB, also known as the Demon brigade, is a full spectrum aviation unit whose mission is to support the ongoing efforts of the government of Iraq to improve internal security, economic growth and infrastructure development. The CAB does this by providing air coverage to safeguard ground troops as well as the Iraqi people.
"As a unit we will fulfill our mission by maintaining the highest of standards and discipline," said Muth. "As a family we will take care of each other with compassion, engaged leadership and Demon resilience."
"I truly can't think of a more capable combat leader and team to assume this changing mission than Frank Muth and the Demon brigade," said Gabram. "They will absolutely excel."
Concluding the ceremony, Muth had a bit of advice for his troops.
"The training and speeches are over," said Muth to his Soldiers. "Take charge, lead and execute your assigned mission."
| Date Taken: | 05.06.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 05.06.2010 13:03 |
| Story ID: | 49237 |
| Location: | CAMP TAJI, IQ |
| Web Views: | 218 |
| Downloads: | 182 |
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