Ninth rotation of Cuscatlán Battalion completes mission in Iraq: Tenth rotation of soldiers from El Salvador assumes responsibility at FOB Delta

Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Carlos Lazo | Artillery Col. Jose Atilio Benitez Parada, commander, Cuscatlan Battalion, 9th Rotation, signs the attendance book for the transfer of authority ceremony at Forward Operating Base Delta, Feb. 22. Benitez and the 9th Rotation transferred responsibility of humanitarian efforts in Al Kut, Iraq, to the Cuscatlan Battalion, 10th Rotation. (Photo/Staff Sgt. Carlos Lazo)  

AL KUT, IRAQ

02.22.2008

Courtesy Story

Multi-National Division-Central

By Staff Sgt. Carlos Lazo, Multi-National Division - Center PAO

FORWARD OPERATING BASE DELTA, Iraq - In their continued commitment to help the country of Iraq, the tenth rotation of soldiers from El Salvador assumed responsibility of humanitarian efforts in Al Kut, Iraq, Feb. 22.

During a transfer of authority ceremony held at Forward Operating Base Delta, Infantry Col. Walter Mauricio Arevalo Gavidia, commander, Cuscatlán Battalion, 10th Rotation, took command from the Cuscatlán Battalion, Ninth Rotation.

The outgoing commander, Artillery Col. Jose Atilio Benitez Parada, Cuscatlán Battalion, 9th Rotation, spoke of his country's continued goal in assisting the people of Iraq.

"We Salvadorian soldiers of all ranks that form the Cuscatlán Battalion, 9th Rotation, feel satisfied and proud of the labor developed ... achieved with our efforts and the will to carry out our orders given to us by the President of the Republic, commander and chief of our Armed Forces and by the people of El Salvador."

The 9th Rotation conducted 34 humanitarian assistance missions benefiting more than 15,000 Iraqi citizens; they also completed 22 projects worth more than $2 million dollars. Three projects are still in progress, worth approximately $300,000, and 24 more are awaiting approval, totaling more than $3 million dollars.

The projects run the gamut from health, electricity, water, education, communication, business development, transportation and reconstruction. The battalion worked closely with the Wasit Provincial Reconstruction Team to develop and execute the projects.

Several sheiks of the nearby villages and towns who worked with Benitez attended the ceremony among other guests.

The list of guests included Brig. Gen. Edward Cardon, deputy commanding general for support, Multi-National Division - Center, and Brig. Gen. Gabriel Gabor, deputy chief of staff, Multi-National Force – Iraq.

• Date Taken: 02.22.2008
• Date Posted: 02.26.2008 08:03
• Story ID: 16712
• Location: AL KUT, IQ