Photo By Spc. Jason Dangel | BAGHDAD, Iraq - Col. Michael F. Beech, Commander, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th...... read more read more
By Pfc. Jason Dangel
4th BCT PAO, 4ID
BAGHDAD --After a successful transition with the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, the 4th Infantry Division's Cobra Brigade is ready for its first mission in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
The 4th Brigade Combat Team took command of central and southern Baghdad as Col. Michael Beech, 4th BCT, commander, and Command Sergeant Major John Moody, Jr., unfurled the brigade colors during a Transfer of Authority ceremony at Forward Operating Base Prosperity January 14.
The ceremony marked the start of Task Force Cobra's first deployment since its activation Dec. 16, 2004.
"This unit was formed specifically for this mission a year ago," explained Beech, a native of Worchester, Mass.
"We spent the last 12 months prior to this deployment focused on coming to Iraq to do this mission. After a year of preparing for this operation and building this brigade, it is a phenomenal thing to see it all come together here in Iraq."
As the battalions of Task Force Cobra execute their missions, their primary focuses will be: securing a key infrastructure of Iraq's new government, the International Zone, partnering and developing Iraqi Security Forces and helping the ISF defeat Anti-Iraqi Forces.
"During the short time the U.S. Army has been here, we've seen great strides in the Iraqi Security Forces" ability to defeat the Anti-Iraqi Forces and secure the population," Beech said. "During our time here, their ability will increase."
Over the last few days, he said, the Soldiers on the ground have been extraordinarily successful identifying a variety of threats.
"Every day," said Beech, 'there are dozens of examples where our Soldiers and leaders on the ground are making a huge difference, getting this country closer to a self-sustaining, independent democracy.
Created as a unit of action under the U.S. Army's force restructuring, the 4th BCT, 4th Inf. Div., manned, equipped and trained nearly 4,000 Soldiers in less than one year and began deploying personnel to Camp Buehring, Kuwait late November.
Each Cobra Soldier completed additional training focused on improvised-explosive devices, cultural awareness, conducting preventive maintenance checks and perform pre-combat inspections before leaving for Baghdad.
After fine tuning their weapons and combat knowledge, the Cobra Brigade began its trek into Baghdad, arriving just in time for the holiday season where many Soldiers celebrated Christmas and the New Year at their assigned forward operating bases.
Shortly after the holiday festivities subsided, leaders from the 4th BCT, 3rd Inf. Div., the "Vanguard Brigade" from Fort Stewart, Ga., helped their replacements take the lead in daily operations as a final transition between the two brigades.
"I feel that our transition with the 4th BCT, 3rd Inf. Div. was absolutely superb," Beech said. "It really served as the capstone event and put the finishing touches on this brigade as we ready ourselves for this mission."
As the Vanguard Brigade returns to its home station, Task Force Cobra has assumed responsibility of building upon, and adding to, its accomplishments in Iraq.
"The 4th BCT, 3rd Inf. Div. had a very successful rotation," said Moody, a native of Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
"Many Soldiers from their units lost their lives while they were here," he said. "They gave their lives for a great cause, and we intend to build upon all the success they achieved."
The Cobra Brigade will play a critical role in the success of the new Iraqi
government as the people of Iraq work to make history, he concluded.
| Date Taken: | 01.21.2006 |
| Date Posted: | 01.21.2006 14:38 |
| Story ID: | 5167 |
| Location: | BAGHDAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 379 |
| Downloads: | 127 |
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