Romanian 'Red Scorpions' assume authority from 'White Sharks'

Photo By Lt. Col. Chad Carroll | Romanian soldiers from the 26th Infantry Battalion "Red Scorpions" march by the reviewing stand during a ceremony transferring authority from the Romanian 341st Inf. Bn. to the 26th Inf. Bn. at Contingency Operating Base Adder, March 3.  

TALLIL, IRAQ

03.03.2009

Story by Maj. Chad Carroll 

4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division Public Affairs

CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE ADDER, Iraq – The Romanian army's 26th Infantry Battalion 'Red Scorpions,' assumed authority from the 341st Infantry Battalion, 'White Sharks,' at Camp Dracula, March 3.

"The White Sharks have set a very high standard, one we will maintain and, of course, try to better," said Lt. Col. Toma, the incoming commander of the 26th Inf. Bn. "We will be great partners [with U.S. and Iraqi forces] and the relations between us will prove that we are a team that can accomplish any kind of mission."

The 341st Inf. Bn. completed a six-month deployment in Iraq that began in September. The Red Scorpions are also scheduled for a six-month rotation.

"You had many great accomplishments over the last six months and made huge positive impacts both for the Iraqi people and toward the success of the coalition corces," said Lt. Col. Mark Nelson, deputy commander of the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division and a native Orem, Utah. "Simply put, this is a great day for Romania, a great day for the Iraqi security forces in Southern Iraq and a great day for the Iraqi people."

Located on Contingency Operating Base Adder near Nasiriyah, the 26th Inf. Bn. will conduct missions in the Dhi Qar province working with the 4th BCT, 1st Cav. Div., Long Knife Brigade. The 26th Inf. Bn. will conduct similar missions to those performed by the 341st Inf. Bn., to include convoy and key infrastructure security.

• Date Taken: 03.03.2009
• Date Posted: 03.10.2009 10:14
• Story ID: 30949
• Location: TALLIL, IQ