3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (AA) Public Affairs

Story by Sgt. 1st Class Kerensa Hardy

By Sgt. 1st Class Kerensa Hardy,
3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault)

CAMP STRIKER, Iraq – The Iraqi army now occupies another patrol base previously under coalition forces' control after a transition ceremony near Radwaniyah, Sept. 6, 2008.

Company B, 1st Battalion, 35th Armor Regiment transferred Patrol Base Lion's Den, approximately 15 kilometers southwest of Baghdad, to 2nd Battalion, 23rd Brigade, 17th IA Division.

"It is an honor for us to receive the patrol base (and) ... to be trusted so we can accomplish our mission," said Lt. Col Adnon, 2/23/17th IA executive officer.

"Today's ceremony marks several years of successful partnership," said Capt. Eric Morton, commander of Co. B, 1st Bn., 35th Armor Regt. "Just last year, this area was a hotbed for al-Qaeda in Iraq and other insurgent organizations. With the joint efforts of the Iraqi army, Sons of Iraq and the U.S. Army, al-Qaeda no longer has a support base here to conduct their operations."

Morton, a native of Midlothian, Va., went on to praise 2/23/17th IA, as well as the IA units before them, for their partnership efforts with coalition forces in maintaining the peace in the Radwaniyah area.

"We have worked hard to secure this area, enabling the people to once again go about their daily lives," he said. "The transition of Patrol Base Lion's Den today not only signifies our success working together as ... partners, but is also symbolic of the growing strength of the Iraqi army."

PB Lion's Den is the sixth patrol base in the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) operations area that has transitioned to the IA since Aug. 5, 2008. By Nov. 14, 2008, patrol bases within Rakkasan battle space will transition to the IA as the Iraqi security forces take a greater lead in the securing the area.

Prior to the war, the patrol base was home to an Iraqi government building, veterinarian clinic and a school. The Soldiers of Co. B, 1st Bn., 35th Armor Regt. have been at PB Lion's Den since May 10, 2008, when they took over from Co. B, 2nd Bn, 69th Armor Regt. Both units were attached to 3rd BCT, 101st Abn. Div. (AASLT).

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