Courtesy Photo | Lt. Col. John Cross (second from right) commander of 1st Battalion, 18th Infantry...... read more read more
By: Spc. William K. Ermatinger
BAGHDAD - On a warm and calm Wednesday morning, soldiers and leaders with 1st Battalion, 18th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Advise and Assist Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, United States Division – Center and the 3rd Battalion, 69th Armor Regiment, 1st Advise and Assist Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, USD-C came together to conduct a ceremony signifying the transfer of authority from the latter battalion to the former, respectively.
The 3rd Bn., 69th Armor Regt., led by Lt. Col. Jeff Denius, commander, and Command Sgt. Maj. Thilo Hendricks, senior enlisted adviser, operated within Baghdad province over its 12-month deployment. The unit advised, trained and assisted the 9th and 11th Iraqi Army Divisions in combat operations for several months, continuing in that role with the onset of Operation New Dawn, in September 2010.
Simultaneously, the battalion worked to make significant strides in improving civil capacity and economic stability. The 3rd Bn., 69th Armor Regt. helped to complete 57 projects, including improving roads, reconstructing schools, promoting farming initiatives and new growing techniques, refurbishing water pumps for irrigation and updating hospitals.
The “Speed and Power” Battalion passed the torch to its replacement unit, the 1st Bn., 18th Inf. Regt., 2nd AAB, 1st Inf. Div. The “Vanguard” Battalion is beginning its fourth deployment in Iraq and the first in support of Operation New Dawn. The battalion was last in Baghdad in October 2009.
“The return of the Vanguards at this time in the history of Iraq and the United States is monumental,” said Lt. Col. John Cross, commander of 1st Bn., 18th Inf. Regt. “We are privileged to see the changes that have occurred here in Iraq, with this being the battalion’s fourth deployment since 2004. We look forward to advising and assisting our partner units—the 9th and 11th Iraqi Army Divisions—in the months to come.”
The unit will focus on improving essential services, stability and conduct joint training with its Iraqi Army counterparts, Cross said. He said the Vanguard Battalion’s soldiers may not see their victories firsthand, but through the successes of the Iraqi Army and people.
| Date Taken: | 12.08.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 12.17.2010 06:36 |
| Story ID: | 62150 |
| Location: | BAGHDAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 104 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
This work, Two USD-C battalions pass torch of responsibility in Baghdad, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
LEAVE A COMMENT