Photo By Staff Sgt. Miles Elder | BAQUBAH, Iraq (June 15, 2006) -- After giving up command Company C, 1-68 CAB, Maj....... read more read more
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BAQUBAH, Iraq (June 15, 2006) " There is no better time to take charge of a fighting unit than when it is deployed to a combat zone, according to a Texas-born officer who took command of C Company, 1-68 Combined Arms Battalion, 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Task Force Band of Brothers, in a change of command ceremony on Forward Operating Base Warhorse June 15.
The traditional passing of the guidon signaled the change of leadership as Maj. Angel M. Brito Jr. ended his 18-month command and Capt. Todd Looney succeeded him. The ceremony was presided over by Lt. Col. Thomas Fisher, commander of 1-68 CAB.
For his part, Looney, an Irving, Texas, native, said he was undaunted by taking command of a unit midway through its tour in northern Iraq.
He said there were many advantages to taking over the reins of a battle-hardened unit like the "Cold Steel Company."
"The Soldiers and noncommissioned officers of this unit will never be better trained than they are here," Looney said. "Everybody knows their role at this point, and I could not ask for more."
"He's a fighter," Fisher said of Looney. "Even though he was the battalion's logistician, I found it hard to keep him on the FOB."
Fisher praised the unit's efforts under Brito. He told Looney to not be distracted from the task at hand during the unit's final months in Iraq.
"Continue to stay focused on the mission," Fisher said. "Take care of the Soldiers, and they will take care of you."
A 1999 graduate of the U.S. Military Academy, Looney has served at Fort Riley, Kan.; Fort Knox, Ky.; and Camp Casey, Korea. He came to Fort Carson, Colo., in December 2004 and served as 1-68's assistant operations officer and logistics officer prior to taking command.
An armor officer, Looney holds the Ranger Tab, the Expert Infantryman's Badge and the Parachutist Badge. He also has earned the Combat Action Badge.
Brito, a Rio Piedras, P.R., native, will leave C Company for Forward Operating Base Normandy. While there, he will command the Military Transition Team and supervise training of Iraqi Security Forces.
During an emotional farewell speech, Brito thanked his "battle buddy" and mentor 1st Sgt. Conrad Gonzales. He also thanked former and current platoon sergeants and platoon leaders in his company, as well as his current executive officer, 1st Lt. Lester Twilley.
"To the Soldiers of Cold Steel, what can I say?" Brito said. "You've done everything I've asked for and even more."
Brito challenged his Soldiers to continue their outstanding performance under their new commander. He said he hoped they would continue to take care of each other until they return to Colorado this fall.
After the ceremony, Col. Brian D. Jones, commander of the 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team 4th Infantry Division, Task Force Band of Brothers, gathered the company Soldiers around him. He challenged them to support their new company commander and to remain vigilant during their tour.
The unit began its tour in Iraq stationed at FOB Normandy. However, it has since relocated to FOB Warhorse where it continues its role in battling insurgent forces and training the Iraqi Security Forces.
| Date Taken: | 06.26.2006 |
| Date Posted: | 06.26.2006 10:18 |
| Story ID: | 6954 |
| Location: | BAQUBAH, IQ |
| Web Views: | 492 |
| Downloads: | 60 |
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