Saber Squadron arrives at COB Delta

Courtesy Photo | Vehicles carrying the troopers and equipment of 6th Squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Advise and Assist Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, United States Division – South, arrive at Contingency Operating Base Delta in Al Kut, Iraq June 5, 2011. After serving as the United States Forces in Iraq operational reserve in Baghdad for four months, Saber Squadron’s new mission is to conduct stability operations through a partnership with their Iraqi Security Force counterparts in Wasit province. (Photo by 2nd Lt. Daniel Elmblad)  

CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE DELTA, IRAQ

06.11.2011

Courtesy Story

United States Division-South

By 2nd Lt. Daniel Elmblad
6th Sqdn., 9th Cav. Regt. UPAR, 3rd AAB, 1st Cav. Div.

CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE DELTA, Iraq – On June 9, the final elements of 6th ‘Saber’ Squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Advise and Assist Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, United States Division – South made their arrival to Contingency Operating Base Delta in Al Kut, Iraq: the squadron’s new home in Iraq.

For the past four months, Saber Squadron operated out of Camp Liberty, Iraq to advise and assist the 4th Federal Police Division in the area surrounding Baghdad. Through this partnership, Saber Sqdn., helped provide mission essential training on topics such as medical training, traffic control point operations, map reading and mechanic training to their Iraqi partners.

In addition to the training, Saber Squadron helped enhance the security abilities of the 4th FP by conducting joint patrols and establishing programs to meet the needs of the local population through school repair projects, delivering humanitarian aid and providing water pumps to local farmers.

However, the squadron’s mission changed. This change required that the squadron end this successful partnership in Baghdad and begin a new one in Al Kut.

“We were fortunate to work with the 4th Federal Police. They were a very professional and capable unit dedicated to providing security to their fellow Iraqis. But now, we look forward to creating a new successful partnership with the Iraqi Security Forces in our new area of operations,” said Lt. Col. Cameron Cantlon, commander of 6th Sqdn., 9th Cav. Regt., and an Ettrick, Wis. native.

Saber Squadron will now be responsible for providing stability operations, along with their Iraqi Security Force partners, in Wasit province to ensure that the security needs of the local people are met. Additionally, the soldiers will advise, train, and assist their Iraqi partners to enhance their mission essential skills as a security force for the area.

For the soldiers of Saber Squadron, they are prepared for their new mission in Iraq.

“We did a lot of great things while we were in Baghdad, but I am ready to keep doing those same things here in Al Kut,” said Spc. Bradley Batson, a cavalry scout with Hunter Troop, and a Killeen, Texas native.

While their mission is just beginning in Al Kut, the soldiers of Saber Squadron remain focused on what they have to do to successfully complete their mission.

“We were working really well together at Camp Liberty. I am ready to get settled in here, start working hard like we were again and finish out this mission the right way,” said Pfc. William Tygart, an Intelligence Analyst with 6th Sqdn., 9th Cav. Regt., and a Yucaipa, Calif. native.

• Date Taken: 06.11.2011
• Date Posted: 06.18.2011 01:43
• Story ID: 72302
• Location: CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE DELTA, IQ