Lights out, scouts out

Photo By Spc. Mathew Schlueter | “We turned the lights out in Iraq," said Lt. Col. Eddie Frizell commander of the 1st Squadron 94th Cavalry, referring to the long haul convoy mission in support of the draw down in Iraq. First Squadron 94th Cavalry traveled over a million miles, more than any other unit in the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 34th Infantry Division “Red Bulls.” Escorting convoys of equipment and soldiers out of Iraq was the primary mission but the squadron also provided route security for the convoys.  

CAMP VIRGINIA, KUWAIT

12.18.2011

Story by Spc. Mathew Schlueter 

1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 34th Red Bull Infantry Division

CAMP VIRGINIA, Kuwait - In single file line, the last convoy escort team of 1st Squadron, 94th Cavalry, returned to Camp Buehring, Kuwait, on Dec 18, 2011. Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles kicked up dust into the air as they came bellowing up to the entrance of the motor pool. Soldiers of 1-94 Cavalry rendered salutes to their returning comrades, honoring the last soldiers returning from Iraq.

It was a very joyful occasion as the MRAPs pulled up in two single file lines in the motor pool. Soldiers of the convoy escort team stepped out of their vehicles to fellow soldiers congratulating them on a job well done and, most of all, celebrating the close of a war that has lasted almost nine years.

The squadron commander, Lt. Col. Eddie Frizell, who accompanied Able Troop on the cavalry's final mission stepped down from the MRAP he was riding in and started shaking every soldier's hand that was a part of this historical occasion.

“We turned the lights out in Iraq," said Frizell, commander of the 1st Squadron, 94th Cavalry, referring to the long haul convoy mission in support of the drawdown in Iraq.

First Squadron, 94th Cavalry, traveled over a million miles, more than any other unit in the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 34th Infantry Division “Red Bulls.” Escorting convoys of equipment and soldiers out of Iraq was the primary mission, but the squadron also provided route security for the convoys.

“Doing this mission, our squadron traveled over a million miles. We spent long night and days on the road, and most important, we brought everyone out of Iraq safe,” Frizell told soldiers standing around him in formation.

Leaving Iraq means the end of the war, but does not mean the 1-94 Cavalry's mission is over. The 1-94 Cavalry will still be stationed at Camp Buerhing, Kuwait, for the foreseeable future to continue training and preparing to go wherever the Army needs them.

• Date Taken: 12.18.2011
• Date Posted: 12.29.2011 06:17
• Story ID: 81844
• Location: CAMP VIRGINIA, KW