Tour of the Ziggurat of UR

Photo By Staff Sgt. Cory Grogan | 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Teams, Task Force Guardian commander, Lt. Col. Greg Day, Task Force Atlas commander, Lt. Col. Brian James, 41 IBCT commander, Col. Dan Hokanson, 41 IBCT Command sergeant major, Command Sgt. Maj. Shane Lake, Task Force Stetson Commander, Lt. Col. William Pendergrass, and Task Force Volunteer commander, Lt. Col. William Edwards, stand for a photo on the steps at the Ziggurat of Ur, Feb. 14. The brigade leadership was at Camp Adder for the tour.  

CAMP ADDER, IRAQ

03.02.2010

Story by Spc. Cory Grogan 

41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team

By Spc. Cory Grogan with significant contribution By 2nd Lt. Mark Timmons

CAMP ADDER, Iraq — This year, on Valentine's day, soldiers of 1st Platoon, A Company, 1st battalion, 186th Infantry Regiment, were tasked by the 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team to provide personal security for 41 IBCT Commander, Col. Dan Hokanson, 41 IBCT Command Sgt. Maj. Shane Lake, along with all of the other battalion commanders and command sergeant majors from the brigade for a tour of the Ziggurat of UR.

A Company showed their Infantry skills by cordoning the Ziggurat Area of Operations with dismounts and gun trucks. It was an honor and privilege to be tasked with the detail and the Soldiers of 1st Platoon spent their time wisely, said A Company platoon leader, 2nd Lt. Mark Timmons.

Combat trucks and weapons were cleaned, supplies were loaded, Operation Orders were prepared, and rehearsals were conducted prior to departure. When the time was set for the mission brief, 15 additional vehicles showed up from around the brigade.

Platoon leadership made the adjustments flawlessly before the start time to head out to the Ziggurat. Because of the Soldiers' well laid plans and early preparations, all changes were easily made, and it is a testimony to the quick mind and strength of A Company, Timmons said.

The tour was particularly important for the commanders as the 41 IBCT prepares to leave the theater of operations. They took this time to have the Brigade Public Affairs Office take command pictures in front of the Ziggurat with the U.S. and Brigade colors flying by their sides.

These pictures will now become a part of the 41 IBCT and Oregon history. The Soldiers of 1st Platoon played a significant part in this day. At the end of this mission, Hokanson gave the men of A Company high accolades for a well done job.

Even though these Soldiers worked on Valentine's Day, they were able to receive some well deserved appreciation and a sense of accomplishment from their historic mission

• Date Taken: 03.02.2010
• Date Posted: 03.02.2010 06:13
• Story ID: 46028
• Location: CAMP ADDER, IQ