Photo By Staff Sgt. Daniel Stoutamire | Col. Paul Calvert (center left), commander of 2nd Advise and Assist Brigade, 1st...... read more read more
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BAGHDAD – The responsibility of advising, training, and assisting Iraqi Security Forces in Baghdad officially passed from the Soldiers of the 1st Advise and Assist Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, United States Division – Center, to the service members of the 2nd Advise and Assist Brigade, 1st Infantry Division during a ceremony, Dec. 9, in front of United States Division – Center headquarters at Camp Liberty, Iraq.
The centerpiece event during the ceremony was the casing and uncasing of the departing and the newly-arrived units’ colors, respectively. Those actions symbolize the opposite directions the two units are taking—one returning home after a job well done and the other to emphasize their presence here.
Col. Paul Calvert, commander of 2nd AAB, 1st Inf. Div., pledged during his remarks at the ceremony to work closely with the Iraqi Security Forces in the province to enhance their ability to provide security and stability to the populace.
“We are here specifically to provide advice, training and assistance for the six divisions that we are partnered with,” Calvert said. “The tremendous division commanders who operate within the province have a way ahead, in terms of the things they want to accomplish. They are training while they are still fighting, and we will help them in every area they need assistance.”
The 1st AAB, 3rd Inf. Div. has been deployed for twelve months is in the process of reintegrating its service members back at its home station in Fort Stewart, Ga.
The 2nd AAB, 1st Inf. Div., out of Fort Riley, Kan., is scheduled to be the final U.S. brigade in Baghdad before the projected Dec. 31, 2011 withdrawal date, under the Status of Forces Agreement between the U.S. and Iraq.
Since early November, the two units have been engaged in a relief in place (RIP) process, in which Soldiers from the arriving unit can take the lessons learned by the departing unit and ease the transition period.
“You have made this transition easy,” said Col. Roger Cloutier, commander of 1st AAB, 3rd Inf. Div., to Calvert and his senior enlisted adviser, Command Sgt. Maj. Rodney R. Lewis. “You and your Soldiers are professionals and are exactly who we need at this critical time.”
Calvert agreed that the RIP process was productive and enhanced his unit’s understanding of the job ahead of them.
“You’ve shown us your scar tissue,” he said to Cloutier and his senior enlisted adviser, Command Sgt. Maj. Edd Watson, “and you have allowed us to walk across the rocks in your own moccasins. Hands down, this has been the best relief in place I have ever been a part of.”
With the RIP process now over and having assumed authority in the province, Calvert is focused on cementing a lasting partnership between the U.S. and Iraq, that will extend well after American units have physically left the country.
“It is not just for the next year, while we are here helping them [that we will be partners], but it will be a long-term strategic partnership between our countries,” Calvert said.
He also lauded the capacities and capabilities already present in Iraq.
“There are tremendous opportunities for the people of Iraq and this country. There is a strong sense of nationalism across the country, and a tremendous amount of resources within this country. So we are excited about the long-term relationship we will have.”
| Date Taken: | 12.11.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 12.11.2010 10:29 |
| Story ID: | 61745 |
| Location: | CAMP LIBERTY, IQ |
| Web Views: | 223 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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