Courtesy Photo | CAMP STRIKER, Iraq - Command Sgt. Maj. Anthony Mahoney (left), the 2nd Brigade Combat...... read more read more
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by Spc. Chris McCann
2nd BCT PAO, 10th Mtn. Div.
BAGHDAD – The first month of a deployment is always one of upheaval – for both the unit going home and the one arriving to replace it.
Militaries since time immemorial have used flags and banners to show their presence. Honoring this time-honored tradition, the Soldiers of 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, raised their battalion and brigade colors and declared in no uncertain terms that the brigade is here to provide assistance to the Iraqi Security Forces and keep peace in its area of operations in southern Baghdad.
Lt. Col. Michael Infanti, a Chicago native, who is the commander of the 4th Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment, uncased his battalion's colors in a brief ceremony Sept. 17.
Although the formalities were short, the meaning was great, he said, as the 4th Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment took charge of the north Mahmudiyah area of operations.
"You own it, you defend it...," he told the formation of Soldiers.
Later that morning, the 2nd Battalion, 15th Field Artillery Regiment, based on an Iraqi army compound in south Mahmudiyah where they work in close conjunction with the 4th Battalion, 6th Iraqi Army Division, also uncased their colors, officially taking the reins from the 101st Airborne Division.
"(It's) fun to have a ceremony with the Iraqi army," said Pvt. James Buron, a medic with Headquarters Battery and native to Phippsberg, Maine. "It's good to get things underway. Hopefully no one will need to come after us; (the Iraqis) will be self-sufficient."
The sentiment was echoed by Staff Sgt. James Smotherman, a squad leader from the battery from Las Cruces, N.M.
"I think it's fantastic that we are uncasing here today as we assist them and enhance their ability to lead themselves and defend their country."
"I'm excited," said Spc. James Butler, a fire direction control specialist from Headquarters Battery, 2nd Bn., 15th FA Regt., who hails from Galveston, Texas.
Col. Michael Kershaw, commander, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mtn. Div., a native of Huffman, Texas, spoke briefly at the ceremony.
"We know from what our brothers in the Screaming Eagle (101st Airborne Division) Brigade tell us that the Desert Lion brigade is the best in the Iraqi army," he said, and expressed hope for continued efforts in the sector to bring peace to Mahmudiyah.
Col. Ali welcomed the newly arrived Soldiers to the area.
"I'm wishing you the best with your efforts and operations," he said. "We hope you continue the efforts of the 101st (Abn. Div.)."
Baghdad has improved a lot during the 101st (Abn. Div.'s) deployment, Ali said.
"I am very sure of the new unit because you have a great history, and I am sure you can improve this AO. You are brothers in arms and in blood."
Sgt. Robert Simonovich, a squad leader with Battery A, 2nd Bn., 15th FA Regt., who hails from Cleveland, Ohio, commented on the uncasing ceremony.
"It was an important event," he said. "It's good that they can see we're here working with them. It's exciting to be working with the IA and see them taking the lead."
Two units under the 2nd BCT uncased their colors for the first time ever in combat; the 1st Squadron, 89th Cavalry Regiment, and the 2nd Brigade Support Troops Battalion.
Col. Jeffrey Harrison, commander of the 2nd BSTB, a Snellville, Ga. native, said the unit was writing the beginnings of its history with this deployment.
"We're replacing an excellent unit," he added. "We'll go from what they've done and build on it."
"This ceremony is significant in the fact that it's the first uncasing of our colors on foreign soil," said Sgt. 1st Class Eric Rees, signal platoon sergeant. "It's the first time the unit has been together in a combat zone."
And while growing pains are expected, Rees, a native of Muncie, Ind., has high hopes for the unit.
"We've got some challenges ahead," he said. "We definitely will meet the challenges. We have nothing but a lot of professionals."
The battalion contains companies of engineers, military intelligence, signal, and military police.
"We've learned a lot," said Sgt. 1st Class Steve Plimpton, 2nd BSTB platoon sergeant, a native of Springfield, Va. "We have a tough mission but we're ready to accept it and be successful."
The 1st Sqdn., 89th Cav. Regt., also unfurled its colors for the first time in combat.
"We're ready, prepared, and had a great transition with the 1st Battalion, 75th Cavalry Regiment – a great unit," said Lt. Col. Mark Suich, commander, 1st Sqdn., 89th Cav. Regt., who hails from Greensville, Penn. "We plan on moving what they had started in the right direction, and establish security and control in the sector by gaining the confidence of people."
2nd Battalion, 14th Infantry Regiment uncased its colors for the third time on Iraqi soil, and many Soldiers of the unit are now on their third tour here.
"1st Battalion, 502nd (Infantry Regiment) did a great job keeping the insurgents at bay," said Capt. Dan McConnell, personnel officer in charge for 2nd Bn., 14th Inf. Regt., a native of Fairfax, Va. "We're going to pick up where they left off, building the confidence of the locals so they can be self-sufficient and not need American presence anymore."
Maj. Anthony Haycock, a native of Delavan, Ill., who serves as the battalion executive officer for the 210th Brigade Support Battalion, echoed those thoughts.
"We had a very smooth transition," he said. "The (2nd BCT, 101st Abn. Div.) was very helpful and we look forward to building on their foundation and supporting the brigade with all our logistical assets."
Task Force Vigilant, an ad-hoc group created to provide security around the Victory Base Camp, unveiled a sign in honor of the transition, and Maj. Brett Kessler, commander, expressed faith in the troops despite their difficult calling. He is from Flagstaff, Ariz.
The task force also will provide security for three towns in the immediate vicinity of the camp.
"We're patrolling in our sector of responsibility outside the wire," said 2nd Lt. Curtis Lowry, a native of Martinsburg, W.Va., who serves as a battle captain with the task force.
The brigade officially took over operations as of the 20th of
September, with high hopes for operations in south Baghdad.
| Date Taken: | 09.30.2006 |
| Date Posted: | 10.02.2006 14:36 |
| Story ID: | 7890 |
| Location: | BAGHDAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 219 |
| Downloads: | 67 |
This work, Commando Brigade takes lead in southern Baghdad operations, by Christina McCann, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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