2/82 assumes authority of advise, train and assist mission in Anbar Province

CAMP RAMADI, IRAQ

06.21.2011

Story by Sgt. Kissta DiGregorio 

82nd Airborne Division Public Affairs Office

CAMP RAMADI, Iraq - As one of the first units to deploy to Iraq during the initial invasion, and to participate in every major campaign of the U.S. military’s operations in Iraq over the last eight years, the 2nd Advise and Assist Brigade, 82nd Airborne Division, has now taken responsibility of advising, training and assisting the Iraqi army and police as U.S. forces transition out of Iraq. The acceptance of this mission became official during the transfer of authority ceremony at Camp Ramadi on June 21, in which the soldiers of the 4AAB, 3rd Infantry Division, passed the torch to the 2/82.

“The Falcons have a storied and distinguished history serving the people of Iraq during some of its most difficult days,” said Maj. Gen. Bernard Champoux, commanding general of the 25th ID and United States Division Center. “(They) are absolutely the right team to finish our mission the right way.”

During the ceremony, the 4/3 colors were cased by the Vanguard command team, Col. Lou Lartigue and Command Sgt. Maj. Joseph Altman. The 2/82 colors were then uncased by the commander and command sergeant major of the Falcon Brigade, Col. Tim McAteer and Command Sgt. Maj. Tim Guden. This act symbolized the 2/82 taking the place of the 4/3 as the Vanguard Brigade redeploys to the U.S. after their deployment to the Anbar province, in which they spear-headed the transformation of Operation Iraqi Freedom into Operation New Dawn.

“The paratroopers of the Falcon Brigade are honored to serve in Iraq,” McAteer said. “There is no other mission more important to our nation and to the future of the Iraqi people, and there is no place we would rather be at this moment in history.”

The Falcons will resume the 4/3’s mission of advising, training and assisting the Iraqi Security Forces, including basic soldiering skills, leadership development and training on new equipment. They will strengthen the ISF as they work to maintain a safe and secure environment for the Iraqi people.

“We pledge our full support to seeing this mission through to successful completion,” McAteer said.

• Date Taken: 06.21.2011
• Date Posted: 06.25.2011 15:35
• Story ID: 72733
• Location: CAMP RAMADI, IQ