Task Force Rogue troops transfer authority of operational environment

Photo By Mark Matthews | A local Iraqi business owner provides the appropriate identification and paperwork...... read more read more

Photo By Mark Matthews | A local Iraqi business owner provides the appropriate identification and paperwork prior to receiving a $2,500 micro grant. Micro grants such as these help fight terrorism by providing Khadra citizens an opportunity to enjoy their lives and start businesses, said 1st Lt. Raymond Ashworth, a native of Redlinds, Calif., who serves with Company C, 1st Battalion, 64th Armor Regiment. Following their 15-month deployment, the Soldiers of the Desert Rogue battalion leave the Mansour District of Baghdad in a very stable and secured environment.  see less | View Image Page

BAGHDAD, IRAQ

07.08.2008

Story by Staff Sgt. James Hunter 

2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (AA) Public Affairs

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By Sgt. James Hunter
2nd Brigade Combat Team Public Affairs Office, 101st Airborne Division, Multi-National Division-Baghdad

CAMP LIBERTY, Iraq – As a part of the final surge brigade into Baghdad, the Soldiers of 1st Battalion, 64th Armor Regiment, commemorated the completion of their 15-month deployment during a transfer of authority ceremony at Camp Liberty, July 6.

The end of the deployment also marked the conclusion of the battalion's third tour to Iraq since the war began in March 2003.

During the ceremony, the battalion handed over responsibility for its operational environment battle to the Soldiers of the 4th Squadron, 10th Cavalry Regiment, who have been operating within the Strike Brigade area of operations since earlier this year.

The battalion deployed in April 2007, arriving in Baghdad in June 2007 under the command of the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, and was assigned an operational area in the Mansour District of Baghdad.

In November 2007, the Desert Rogue troops then fell under the command of the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), when the Strike Brigade took over the reigns of western Baghdad.

"This area sits astride the western approaches to Baghdad and the al-Qaida rat lines into the city," said Lt. Col. Edward Chesney, commander of the 1-64th AR.

The Soldier's mission, he explained, was to defeat al-Qaida in the west and stop special groups' criminals' expansion in the northeast. Their fight saw them fighting on two fronts: battling heavily entrenched al-Qaida in the western neighborhoods of Khadra, Adl and Jamia, and fighting special groups' criminals in the northeast neighborhoods of Ishkan and Washash.

Additionally, they had the responsibility of caring for more than 4,000 citizens.

During their tour of duty, the Soldiers of the Rogue Battalion fought to defeat enemy fighters in Mansour in order to reestablish security, increase confidence in the Iraqi security forces and rebuild essential services. Alongside their ISF partners, they helped build a vibrant economy and dramatically increased the population's involvement in the political process.

None of this would have been possible without the Soldiers hard work, discipline, aggressive attitude and, most importantly, their partnership with the Iraqi security forces, said Chesney.

"The battalion deployed forward into sector, living and working among the people out of three Joint Security Sites," said Chesney. "Through a hard-fought, summer-long campaign, the Rogues and soldiers from the 54th Iraqi army brigade defeated al-Qaida and set the conditions for reestablishment of the rule of law, economic revitalization and worked hard to restore governance and essential services to improve the situation for the predominantly Sunni population of west Mansour."

In late August 2007, the battalion focused its combat power on stopping special groups' criminals in northwest Mansour by establishing their fourth JSS. Within 96 hours, the site – JSS Washash – was erected to halt the advancement of these criminal groups.

"Again, the Rogues followed their approach of security, governance and economics, leveraging all forms of combat power, both lethal and non-lethal, to restore normalcy to the area," said Chesney.

In 14 months, significant activities throughout the area dropped from a high of more than four per day to an average of less than two a week, said Chesney.

This was largely due to the more than 4,600 patrols the troops conducted, 17 battalion operations, 45 company operations and the development of partnerships with three Iraqi army battalions and the Iraqi police to restore security within the area.

Also, Operation Rogue Currency targeted micro-grants into four economic support zones and paid out nearly $1.4 million to local store owners to reopen their businesses, said Chesney.

In the economically critical Shar Arabia area, open businesses increased from only four in June 2007 to more than 450 businesses in June 2008. The battalion also built more than five safe neighborhoods and emplaced more than 60,000 tons of concrete barrier material to reduce the flow of arms, ammunition and explosives, he said.

As a result of their combined efforts, the citizens of Mansour enjoyed a renewed sense of security. Improved security allowed for the economic revitalization of the entire area, said Chesney.

"To the Soldiers of the Desert Rogue Battalion, a job well done," said Col. William Hickman, commander of the 2nd BCT, 101st Abn. Div. "You mastered our Army's counterinsurgency doctrine. You focused on security operations – protecting the population and partnering with the Iraqi army.

"Assisting the local government in its ability to lead the people, promoting economic development through grants, jobs and encouraging the Iraqi people to have hope in their future – You helped the local officials to bring much needed essential services to the people," Hickman continued.

While there is still much to do, Chesney said he believes that with continuous work with their Iraqi partners, progress will continue.

"The 4th Squadron, 10th Cavalry has a long and storied history, and I'm confident they will improve the situation in the Mansour District," Chesney said. "It has been our distinct honor to fight as part of the Strike Brigade and with our Iraqi partners. We wish you continued success and may God watch over you as you continue the fight."