By Spc. Josh LeCappelain
Multi-National Division - Center Public Affairs Office
CAMP VICTORY, Iraq – Lt. Col. Marty Muchow and the 63rd Explosive Ordnance Disposal Battalion assumed command of Combined Joint Task Force Troy in Multi-National Division – Center during a ceremony May 23 at Camp Deutsch, in southern Baghdad.
Navy Cmdr. Jeff McCauley, commander of Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit 6, relinquished command as Combined Joint Task Force Troy commander Col. Kevin Lutz presided.
Lutz called the day a "great opportunity to realize the contributions of one organization and welcome the arrival of another."
"You've saved lives every single day," Lutz told EOD Mobile Unit 6, noting they had not sustained one serious injury during their four months in CJTF Troy, MND-C. "Without question, you came in and did a phenomenal job."
Lutz also welcomed the 63rd EOD Bn., based out of Fort Drum, N.Y., saying that they "are at the tip of the spear of making a difference."
McCauley thanked the more than 250 different Sailors, Soldiers and Airmen who worked under him since taking command in January, as well as the 3rd Infantry Division for their assistance in helping defeat improvised explosive devices.
"We've had phenomenal found-and-cleared rates," he said, highlighting the removal or destruction of approximately 250,000 unexploded ordnance during their time in Iraq. McCauley and the rest of the Mobile Unit 6 will return to Charleston, S.C., to refit prior to deploying to Multi-National Division – North in early 2009.
Muchow thanked Mobile Unit 6 for all their hard work and help in preparing his Soldiers and uncasing the colors of the 63rd EOD Bn.
"You have met and exceeded all pre-deployment and transfer of authority standards," Muchow told his battalion. "You are now ready for combat operations."
The 63rd EOD Bn. has a clear mission and focus during their time in Iraq.
"We are here primarily to support the 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry) with the IED Defeat mission," Muchow said. "And to save lives by defeating IEDs, and more importantly, defeating the networks that emplace them."