Salah ad Din bids Broncos farewell, welcomes Dragons

Photo By Sgt. Shantelle Campbell | Col. Henry A. Arnold, III, and Command Sgt. Maj. Michael S. McCoy, commander and command sergeant major of the 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division uncase the brigade's colors during the unit's Transfer of Partnership ceremony held in front of the brigade's headquarters building, Oct. 8.  

TIKRIT, IRAQ

10.08.2009

Story by Spc. Shantelle Campbell 

4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division

CONTINGENCY OUTPOST BASE SPEICHER, Iraq — With the uncasing of the colors, the 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division took over the partnership between the 3rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division and the Salah ad Din province, during a Transfer of Partnership ceremony, Oct. 8.

The "Bronco" brigade deployed to the Salah Ad Din Province, Iraq in October of 2008. Now, only a short 12 months later, the brigade relinquished its duties, leaving the "Dragon" brigade with big shoes to fill.

"To the men and women of Task Force Bronco, you are all members of the 9-11 generation. You have accepted and executed the immense responsibilities and burdens of this mission," said Maj. Gen. Robert L. Caslen Jr., commander of Multi-National Division — North, as he addressed the crowd during the ceremony. "You did not waver and you did not falter, you said send me in a time of war, and you have personified the word 'duty' throughout this deployment. I salute each and every one of you for your sacrifices and dedications to duty because it is clear without a doubt that you have accomplished your mission and that you have made history here in Salah Ad Din."

"As we say thank you to a job well done to the Broncos, we also welcome the 'Dragon' brigade," Caslen said. "I've been watching the 'Dragons' for the last couple of weeks and there is no better brigade to replace the Broncos. You have a tough mission ahead of you ... I challenge you to continue to build upon the solid relationships that are already in place. I know you will carry on the great work accomplished by countless other Soldiers who have served honorably in this province."

As the "Dragon" brigade officially took responsibility, Col. Henry A. Arnold, III, the 4th IBCT commander, assures Iraqi military and government officials as well as his Soldiers that the "Dragon" brigade is ready to take on this mission of helping to rebuild the Salah Ad Din Province.

"We are ready to do our duty, and we are proud to be a part of this historic period in the history of Iraq and the United States," said Arnold.

"It's not just us who are fighting this war," said Command Sgt. Maj. Michael S. McCoy, the 4th IBCT command sergeant major. "We're fighting it along side [our Iraqi counterparts]. They're our comrades, and they want freedom and peace just as much as we do ... We're all united, and we should all go toward the same goal which is peace and freedom for everyone."

The standards and expectations for this mission are high, but there is "No mission too difficult, No sacrifice too great" for the "Dragon" brigade.

• Date Taken: 10.08.2009
• Date Posted: 10.09.2009 11:22
• Story ID: 39879
• Location: TIKRIT, IQ