JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq - On Feb. 14, Task Force Sapper Eagle took authority over the area in Iraq from Task Force Badger.
“The beginning of the end has started … for the tremendous engineer effort in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom, and now New Dawn.” On Feb. 14, 326th Engineer Battalion Commander, Lt. Col. Patrick Kinsman, addressed his Battalion and the 724th Engineer Battalion at a Transfer of Authority ceremony on Joint Base Balad. The ceremony marked the end of Task Force Badger’s mission in Iraq as Task Force Sapper Eagle stepped up to take control.
During its 10-month tour in Iraq, 724th Engineer Battalion, from the Wisconsin National Guard, had the unique task of leading eight Engineer Companies, including Active, Army Reserve, and National Guard on various tasks throughout Iraq as the only Engineer Battalion in theater. Along with 950th Route Clearance Company, 1013th Sapper Company, 228th Mobility Assurance Company, and 34th Sapper Company, Task Force Badger cleared approximately 200,000 km of roads, braving over 100 incidents of hazardous explosives and enemy fire to ensure the safety of thousands of US and Iraqi troops that passed through some of the most dangerous areas of Iraq.
Task Force Badger led 229th Multi-Role Bridging Company on their mission to remove five major military bridges while training Iraqi forces on bridging techniques and procedures. In total, the Task Force moved over $90 million worth of bridging support vehicles and equipment out of Iraq as part of the drawdown of forces.
Task Force Badger also led the 617th Engineer Support Company as they completed construction work for Iraqi forces at combined check points near Kirkuk and Mosul and assisted the State Department in the construction of Contingency Operating Station Arbil in northern Iraq. 724th Battalion Commander, O’Donahue, expressed his gratitude in his parting speech, saying “It is difficult to put into words how proud I have been to witness ordinary men and women who, day after day, willingly provided extraordinary service to their nation.”
O’Donahue went on to remember two soldiers from 1013th Sapper Company who were killed in action: Sgt. Jose Cintron and Spc. Jose Delgade. The soldiers died on Jan. 2. as result of an enemy Improvised Explosive Device attack on their patrol. O’Donahue commented, “They gave their lives serving their nation alongside their fellow Sappers ... they are missed by all who had the privilege to know or serve alongside them.”
LTC Kinsman commands Task Force Sapper Eagle as it takes up Badger’s role as the last Engineer Battalion in theater, leading its Higher Headquarters Company, Forward Support Company, the 511th and 591st Sapper Companies (from Fort Campbell, Ky.); 391st Sapper Company (Army Reserves, Idaho); 34th Sapper Company (Schofield Barracks, Hawaii); 299th Multi-Role Bridging Company (Army Reserve, Fort Belvoir, Va.); and 617th Engineer Support Company (Fort Lewis, Wash.). The units that make up the Task Force will continue the mission of advising, training, and assisting Iraqi counterparts on all aspects of Combat Engineering.
Kinsman said, “We will advise, train, and assist our Iraqi partners for as long as the mission allows—we’ll do our best to increase the capabilities of Iraqi army engineers … we also assume and acknowledge the responsibility to close out this mission on behalf of those who have served, on behalf of those who have fallen, and on behalf of the families they left behind…we will get the job done …and we will close this historic mission with an effort to commensurate with their sacrifice. Sapper Eagles! Air Assault! All The Way!”
| Date Taken: | 02.14.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 03.19.2011 12:33 |
| Story ID: | 67362 |
| Location: | JOINT BASE BALAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 183 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Task Force Sapper Eagle Transfer of Authority Ceremony, by 1LT Isabelle Morse, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
