From Soldiers to combat commanders, 'Griffon' Battalion keeps 4th BCT strong, true

Photo By Spc. Jason Dangel | Sgt. Rommell Worrell, power generation equipment repairer, Special Troops Battalion, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, works on a generator motor at the Griffon Motorpool on Forward Operating Base Prosperity. The STB motorpool is responsible for repair and maintenance for the battalion and the brigade headquarters.  

BAGHDAD, IRAQ

08.01.2006

Courtesy Story

4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division

by Staff Sgt. Brent Williams and Pfc. Jason Dangel
4th BCT PAO, 4th Inf. Div.

BAGHDAD – The lightning flash, symbolic for mobility, communications and intelligence operations, and a sword, the emblem of security and the combat support mission, stand guard before a field of black and white, day and night.

The weapons cross intertwined in the talons of a black eagle-winged griffon, strong and true. The heraldic beast grasps the keys to the success that enables the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, to accomplish its mission in Iraq.

The Special Troops Battalion, which deployed with the 4th BCT, is as dynamic and true as its coat of arms.

Responsible to man, arm, fuel, fix and move the forward elements of the "Cobra" Brigade, the Soldiers of STB provide logistics, personnel and health services support for the 4th BCT headquarters and its battalions, said Command Sgt. Major Anthony Walker.

"Our support to any of the many brigade missions is critical," Walker said.

Each company within the battalion is responsible for one element of support that is critical to the morale, health, welfare and combat readiness of the Soldiers in 4th BCT.

"There is no one company, platoon or section greater than the sum," explained Walker Springfield, Mass., native. "If a section fails to complete a mission task, then the battalion fails across the board."

In addition to its duties to provide combat service support for the brigade, the Special Troops Battalion is responsible for the successful completion of three vital missions while deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, said Lt. Col. Joseph Gandara, commander, STB.

The battalion is responsible for operating the Forward Operating Base Prosperity Mayor's Cell, which is dedicated to providing support services for 4th BCT Soldiers.

Their mission essential duties range from building to space allocation to upgrades and master planning for base operations, said Gandara, a graduate of Texas Agricultural and Mechanical University in El Paso, Texas.

"If we can't keep our troops living in conditions they'll accept – keep power running and the functions of a normal FOB running – then essentially we would start losing the morale of the Soldiers in the brigade," he explained.

However, the most important mission charged to the support battalion is the operations of the detainee holding facility for the 4th BCT and the 4th Inf. Div., added Gandara.

"It is extremely vital in supporting the brigade," Gandara said, "because of the past history of Abu Ghraib and the perceived strategic operational and tactical level of abuse of the detainees, it is absolutely critical that we run a zero defects operation in terms of prisoner care – vital not only for the brigade, frankly, but for the entire theater."

The most challenging, yet rewarding mission for the STB is to help Iraqis create a stable living environment for the citizens of Baghdad and Iraq, said Gandara.

STB's Infrastructure Coordination Element develops, manages and synchronizes both infrastructure and large-scale construction projects within the Brigade's area of operations.

The team of Soldiers and civil engineers engage in local contracting, construction management and oversight of said projects designed to help restore and improve essential services, such as electricity, water and sanitation in Baghdad.

Gandara works with the Iraqi ministries, director generals and the local engineers to ensure the security and success of the new Iraqi government and its citizens.

"I also see my job as going out, and looking at my projects, and looking at the conditions that people are living in to make a better assessment of what is needed," said Gandara.

Combat support units typically remain stationary and act as the main support hub for operations within a brigade. STB Soldiers have done just that at multiple levels and multiple echelons within the U.S. Army and with the Iraqi people, said Gandara.

"The beauty of the mission that this battalion has is that we are combat support, and every one of the Soldiers in this battalion has provided combat support to every Soldier in this brigade," he said. "I think that every Soldier in the battalion can walk away knowing that they actually made a contribution ensuring that future Soldiers here will have it just a little bit better."

As the "Griffon" Soldiers continue to provide quintessential combat support services to the brigade, Walker urges his Soldiers to stay focused on the mission at hand.

"When we deployed, the leadership was great and yet still learning their roles and responsibility within the brigade," he said. "As with any great team, we have to continue to learn and grow and keep our focus on the task at hand."

Walker acknowledged the battalion's success, but said he aspires for his Soldiers to achieve an even higher level of success during the remainder of the deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

"The main reason for our success has been the leadership and the quality of the individual STB Soldier," Walker explained. "At this point, we have met our mission goals; we do, however, have much farther to go."

• Date Taken: 08.01.2006
• Date Posted: 08.01.2006 14:24
• Story ID: 7353
• Location: BAGHDAD, IQ