4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Deploys to Iraq

Photo By Spc. Jason Dangel | Soldiers from the 4th Infantry Division's 4th Brigade Combat Team test their shot groups during a zero range in the Udairi Desert. Task Force Ironhorse arrived at Camp Buehring, Kuwait in early December to begin mandatory training requirements before moving to Baghdad. Soldiers engaged in weapons marksmanship and proficiency exercises as well as attending an improvised explosive training class and conducting multiple "hip pocket" training events.  

CAMP BUEHRING, KUWAIT

01.10.2006

Courtesy Story

DVIDS Hub       

Pfc. Jason W. Dangel
4th BCT, 4ID PAO

CAMP BUEHRING, Kuwait--One year ago, the U.S. Army created one of its newest brigades. It was deemed a "Unit of Action," and after much preparation, planning and rigorous training, the brigade combat team is scheduled to place boots on the ground in Iraq later this month.

The 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division began deploying personnel to Camp Buehring, Kuwait, as its advance party left Fort Hood, Tx. Nov. 29, marking the unit's first deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

"Each and every one of you is an American Hero," said 4th Brigade Combat Team Commander Col. Mike F. Beech to Soldiers deploying to Iraq Dec. 4. "I mean that from the heart. What we're about to do in Iraq this year is a decisive time in our country's history and the history of the people of Iraq."

The 4th BCT "Cobras", working with the 4th Inf. Div.'s Task Force Iron Horse, will play an important role in the success of Iraq, said Beech.

The Cobra Brigade will be primarily responsible for battle space in Baghdad and will play a huge part in the training of the Iraqi Army, while simultaneously providing security for Iraq's new government, said 4th BCT Command Sergeant Major Command Sgt. Maj. John E. Moody.

"Our job is to go over there, help secure the country, train the Iraqi Army and enable them to take control of their own problems," he explained. "This will allow us to reduce troops and eventually get out of there. If that's not important, I don't know what is."

As the 4th BCT Soldiers arrive at Camp Buehring, the battalions have begun to prepare for the brigade's eventual movement to Baghdad.

Each Cobra Soldier is required to complete additional training, conduct preventive maintenance checks and services and perform pre-combat inspections before moving into the combat zone.

Some of these requirements include Improvised Explosive Device awareness training as well as weapon proficiency and crew-served gunnery ranges.

The 4th BCT officially activated Dec. 16, 2004 and was literally built from the ground up as part of the Army's "Future Force" restructuring process and has since been hard at work preparing for deployment.

Within the coming weeks the 4th BCT Cobras will role into Baghdad and embark on a year long mission in Support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

"This brigade attests to how great of an Army we have, and how great our leaders are, all the way from the chief of staff, all the way down to the lowest private," Moody explained

"The leaders in this brigade were able to take people, train them, take them out to the field and proficiently train them to be able to go to war in eleven months. Now that's an accomplishment."

• Date Taken: 01.10.2006
• Date Posted: 01.10.2006 13:34
• Story ID: 5068
• Location: CAMP BUEHRING, KW