Courtesy Photo | Maj. Gen. Eddy M. Spurgin, left, commanding general of the 36th Infantry Division, and...... read more read more
Story by: Sgt. James Kennedy Benjamin
BASRA, Iraq – For soldiers of U.S. Division-South, starting the New Year meant more than just giving up old habits and starting anew. It marked the ending of a great chapter in their history books and the beginning of a new one.
The commanding general of the 36th Infantry Division Headquarters, a National Guard unit from Austin, Texas, assumed command of USD-S from the commanding general of the 1st ID. from Fort Riley, Kan., in a Transfer of Authority ceremony held at the chapel on Contingency Operating Base Basra, Jan. 2, 2011.
Maj. Gen. Eddy M. Spurgin assumed responsibilities of USD-S from Maj. Gen. Vincent K. Brooks, signifying the end of another successful overseas contingency operation for the "Big Red One" division and the start of another for the "Arrowhead" division.
“The 1ID has accomplished its two-fold mission of advising and assisting the Iraqi Security Forces in providing for the security of the Iraqi people,” Brooks said to the roomful of Iraqi and U.S. military and political dignitaries, “and in supporting the efforts by the nine Provincial Reconstruction Teams in helping to advance Iraqi economic prosperity and civil society through good governance and the implementation of the rule of law.”
Brooks commended Spurgin and the 36ID headquarters for “completing the preparatory journey… The best part of the experience awaits you. We are absolutely confident that you are ready to excel here in southern Iraq.”
But above all, Brooks thanked his Iraqi partners for their bravery and persistent effort in ensuring Iraq and its people continue to move forward from their many accomplishments in 2010.
“The soldiers and commanders of the ‘Big Red One,’ 1ID are honored to have served side by side with you, making Iraq a beacon of hope,” Brooks said. “Your success is our success, and we have been very successful indeed.”
Spurgin offered thanks and congratulations to the soldiers of the 1st Inf. Div. “Permit me to say what an honor it is to share this day with you today,” Spurgin said to Brooks. “Your inspired leadership of U.S. Division-South over the past year set a new standard of excellence.”
Not only will USD-S continue to provide support and assistance to the Iraqi Security Forces, he said in his remarks, but to the PRTs and U.S. State Department as the division gradually transitions the U.S. role in southern Iraq over to a new consulate in Basra.
“This is the moment that we have all been planning and preparing for,” Spurgin said to the soldiers of the 36ID, naming the many difficult and diverse training exercises the division underwent prior to deployment. “We have trained and prepared for this mission like no other in the recent history of our great division. Not only are the eyes of Texas upon us, as always, but the eyes of the United States and of the great people of Iraq as well.”
“Today we have the great responsibility of being among the last American units to leave Iraq,” Spurgin said. “And we are committed to completing this mission with success and honor.”
“Standing shoulder to shoulder, with perseverance and a clear sense of purpose,” Spurgin said, “let us add a new chapter to the storied saga of the Arrowhead division.”
| Date Taken: | 01.02.2009 |
| Date Posted: | 01.06.2011 02:49 |
| Story ID: | 63083 |
| Location: | BASRA, IQ |
| Web Views: | 102 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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