Courtesy Photo | Col. Jeffrey Holmes (left), commander of the 278th Armored Cavalry Regiment, 103rd...... read more read more
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Story by: Staff Sgt. Russell Klika
CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE TAJI, Iraq — Soldiers with the 278th Armored Cavalry Regiment, 103rd Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) cased the regimental colors in a ceremony June 27 at Contingency Operating Base Taji, Iraq, officially signifying the end of their mission in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Since beginning their mission in February, Soldiers with the 278th ACR, headquartered in Knoxville, Tenn., primarily provided security for convoys moving throughout Iraq.
The 278th ACR was under the 13th ESC until a July 1 transfer of authority to the 103rd ESC.
“Today we celebrate an amazing end to a whirlwind tour of duty for a great team of cavalrymen, who approached the mission of securing convoys with the same veracity as moving to contact,” said Brig. Gen. Paul L. Wentz, commanding general of the 13th ESC, and a Mansfield, Ohio, native. “The ‘Sabers’ from the great state of Tennessee have written another pivotal chapter in the history of operations in Iraq, especially during these tumultuous times of the responsible drawdown. Today’s end of mission ceremony marks another important moment in our Global War on Terrorism, and our goal to bring stability to the Iraqi people.”
Soldiers with the 278th ACR completed more than 1,800 convoy escort missions, driving nearly 200,000 miles. During these missions, they encountered 26 roadside bombs and 34 incidents of direct fire, but suffered only minimal injuries and no loss of life inside the Iraqi theater, Wentz said.
“Each day the troopers in the regiment meticulously maintained vehicles and weapon systems,” he said. “Each night, those same troopers drove thousands of miles to protect convoys delivering food, water, equipment, repair parts, mail, ammo and fuel throughout Iraq.”
In addition to itsr mission providing convoy security, the 278th ACR was also assigned to provide base defense at COB Taji, and provided security at the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad. During the Iraqi parliamentary elections, 278th ACR Soldiers escorted embassy workers to polling sites to conduct inspections, Wentz said.
Col. Jeffrey Holmes, commander of the 278th ACR, and a Murfreesboro, Tenn., native, thanked his troops for their hard work and professionalism during the deployment.
“I don’t know that there’s ever been a time in our country’s history when we’ve placed such a burden on the lower-ranking Soldiers, who make split-second decisions with strategic consequences,” he said. “We’ve asked a whole lot of our younger Soldiers, and they’ve responded masterfully.”
Holmes also spoke about the 278th ACR’s mission being cut short due to the responsible drawdown of troops and a equipment from Iraq.
“We weren’t over here for our entire time we were planning on, but that’s ok,” Holmes said. “You kind of get your mind set to stay over here a certain length of time, and when the departure date comes early, we can work ourselves into being happy about that. It’s a good feeling, and we need to reflect on what we’re doing in turning the country over to the Iraqis. It’s a success all the way around.”
| Date Taken: | 05.27.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 07.10.2010 08:56 |
| Story ID: | 52647 |
| Location: | CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE TAJI, IQ |
| Web Views: | 361 |
| Downloads: | 109 |
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