Rail Gunners take authority of Wasit Province

Photo By Spc. Allison Churchill | Brockton, Mass., native Col. Richard Francey (middle), 41st Fires Bde. commander, speaks with Capt. Hayder Adnan Ali Al-Saidy (left), Iraqi police Wasit province liasion Officer to coalition forces and Hussein Al-Shammari, reporter for Radio Al-Sawa June 26 after a ceremony on Forward Operating Base Delta transferring authority over the province from 214th Fires Bde. to 41st Fires Bde.  

AL KUT, IRAQ

06.29.2008

Story by Spc. Allison Churchill 

Multi-National Division-Central

By Spc. Allison Churchill
41st Fires Brigade Public Affairs Office

FORWARD OPERATING BASE DELTA, Iraq – Citizens of the Wasit Province gained new allies June 26 when the 214th Fires Brigade transferred authority of the area to the 41st Fires Brigade during a transfer of authority ceremony here.

Several Wasit Province leaders attended the ceremony during which the Rail Gunners uncased the 41st Fires Bde. colors, marking the official beginning of their deployment.

Col. Peter Baker, commander of 214th Fires Bde., said leaving his Iraqi friends to go home would be "bittersweet," after more than a year in Wasit.

"Since we first arrived, we have witnessed great and positive changes that were only possible due to the efforts the Iraqi Security Forces, the Government of Wasit and the combined efforts of Coalition forces and the Provincial Reconstruction Team," said Baker, a native of Canandaigua, N.Y.

Baker said he knew the brigade was doing well when an Iraqi reporter told him that, at first, the Iraqis in Wasit assumed the Americans wanted to "dominate" them; they later came to realize the Soldiers had come to Iraq to help.

He credited his brigade's success to a positive partnership with Iraqi police and Iraqi army leaders throughout their deployment.

The Rail Gunners will build on that success and continue the good work, said Col. Richard Francey, 41st Fires Bde. commander.

"Your proud heritage deserves a resolute and collective effort between coalition forces and the Iraqi government," said Francey, a Brockton, Mass., native, as he addressed the Iraqi citizens in the audience.

"We have an opportunity right now while security is good to ... make life better for the people of Wasit," said Francey. "Anyone who stands in the way of that will not be my friend."

Major General Michael Oates, commanding general of Multi-National Division – Center, said he saw potential in the area.

"I think we got a great opportunity this year, just have to step on the accelerator," said Oates, a San Antonio, Texas native.

The 41st Fires Bde. is scheduled for a 15-month deployment. This is the brigade's third deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

• Date Taken: 06.29.2008
• Date Posted: 06.29.2008 09:42
• Story ID: 20980
• Location: AL KUT, IQ