1st Squadron, 10th Cavalry Regiment sets stage for move to Hillah

Photo By Sgt. David Turner | Col. Thomas James (second from left), commander of the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, inspects construction of a new patrol base with Lt. Col. William Benson (foreground), commander of the 1st Squadron, Cavalry Regiment in Hillah, Dec. 4.  

ISKANDARIYAH, IRAQ

12.04.2008

Story by Sgt. David Turner 

4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division Public Affairs

By Sgt. David Turner
4th Brigade Combat Team 3rd Infantry Division

FORWARD OPERATING BASE KALSU, Iraq – The commander of the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division visited Hillah, Dec. 4, to see the construction of a new patrol base in the capital of Babil province.

Col. Thomas James met with Lt. Col. William Benson, commander of the 1st Squadron, 10th Cavalry Regiment, whose troops will be moving to the new base in the coming weeks. Patrol Base Hillah is co-located with the headquarters of the 31st Brigade, 8th Iraqi Army Division, as well as a military transition team, which works closely with the Iraqi army brigade.

"Living at the patrol base, embedded with the Iraqi Army, is exactly the right way to foster relationships and promote security," said Benson. "We are always safer when we are embedded, and it makes the service in Iraq much more rewarding."

The 1-10th Cav. Regt., currently deployed in both Babil and Wasit Provinces, will concentrate its forces in Babil to partner with the 31st IA Bde. Benson said his Soldiers will work closely with the Babil Provincial Reconstruction Team, based in Hillah, as well as local Iraqi security forces and coalition military trainers.

Benson, whose troops currently work with the 32nd IA Bde., said he is looking forward to working with his new partners.

"The 31st IA Brigade is already recognized as one of the best brigades in the Iraqi army. The officers and Soldiers of the 31st [IA] Brigade prove this every day," said Benson. "It makes it enjoyable to come to work when you are working with a professional organization and we look forward to continuing to support the people of Hillah and Babil province."

• Date Taken: 12.04.2008
• Date Posted: 12.12.2008 09:58
• Story ID: 27578
• Location: ISKANDARIYAH, IQ