Courtesy Photo | Soldiers with the 116th Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 116th Garrison Command,...... read more read more
By: Sgt. Christina Thompson
CAMP TAJI, Iraq — Soldiers with the headquarters element of the 116th Brigade Special Troops Battalion, based out of Twin Falls, Idaho—currently serving under 116th Garrison Command, United States Division – Center in support of Operation New Dawn—have been busy since taking command of Camp Taji, Iraq, last month.
The unit is responsible for life support, facility maintenance, land management, force protection and base defense for the camp, located north of Baghdad.
“Our mission is difficult, but very rewarding,” said Lt. Col. Kevin Sheehy, commander of the 116th BSTB and a Union, Ore. native.
The unit operates much like a city mayoral office, responsible for maintaining infrastructure and support services to U.S. service members and civilian contractors.
Maj. Cody McRoberts, executive officer with the 116th BSTB and a Boise, Idaho, native, said being citizen-soldiers in a National Guard unit uniquely enables the BSTB to provide oversight of the camp.
“The various civilian-acquired skills and backgrounds that our soldiers posses help enhance our ability to successfully complete our mission here in Iraq,” he said.
Experience also enables the unit to meet the demands of their mission. Many members of the 116th BSTB previously deployed to Iraq with the 116th Cavalry Brigade, from 2004 to 2005.
“We were witness to the two most important days in Iraq’s recent history—the constitutional referendum and the first election in 2005,” Sheehy said. “What we will engage in for the next several months will be yet another important event for Iraq, the de-scoping of the U.S. military mission here.”
Some soldiers with the 116th are on their first deployment. The 116th BSTB presented these soldiers with shoulder sleeve insignia-former wartime service, or combat patches, Dec. 19.
Soldiers who have served in a combat zone for more than 30 days may wear an additional unit patch on the right shoulder of their uniforms. The 116th BSTB soldiers now wear the 116th Cavalry Brigade patch on both sleeves of their uniforms, symbolizing their veteran status and service with the brigade in support of Operation New Dawn.
| Date Taken: | 01.20.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 01.20.2011 02:20 |
| Story ID: | 63844 |
| Location: | CAMP TAJI, IQ |
| Web Views: | 328 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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