Army vice chief of staff visits Task Force XII Soldiers at Camp Taji

Courtesy Photo | Col. Timothy Edens, the commander of Multi-National Division – Baghdad's Task Force XII, and other Task Force XII Soldiers brief Gen. Richard Cody, the Army's vice chief of staff, on Task Force XII's current and future operations. (U.S. Army photo/Sgt. Brandon Little)  

TAJI, IRAQ

02.13.2008

Courtesy Story

Multi-National Division Baghdad

By Sgt. Brandon Little
Task Force XII Public Affairs Office

CAMP TAJI, Iraq – Gen. Richard Cody, the Army's vice chief of staff, made a special visit to the Task Force XII area of operations, Feb. 12.

Cody, who is a master aviator with more than 5,000 hours of flight time, was briefed by Task Force XII Soldiers on current and future operations.

Since taking on the responsibility of providing aviation support to Multi-National Division – Baghdad, Task Force XII Soldiers have adjusted to their new mission while continuing to improve operations each day, said Col. Timothy Edens, the commander of Task Force XII.

Cody was briefed on the tactics, techniques and procedures being used by Task Forces XII.

"Task Force Storm currently launches (nearly 75 percent) of our aircraft every day," said Lt. Col. James Macklin Jr., the commander of Task Force Storm. "Due to the outstanding job of our (flight crews) and maintainers, I think we're doing a great job of providing the division what they need."

"Our unmanned aerial vehicle pilots are well-trained and our handoffs (with brigade combat teams) are going pretty good," added Capt. Shirwen Separa, the commander of Company G, TF XII.

Cody commended the "Griffin" Soldiers on their excellent safety record since they've been in theater.

"You're the first combat aviation brigade to not have an accident within their first 90 days in theater," he said. "You're off to a tremendous start so please continue to do whatever you're doing."

Lt. Gen. Raymond Odierno, the III Corps commander from Fort Hood, is slated to replace him as the Army's vice chief of staff in the next few months. Cody said he is confident the Army will continue to provide aviators the tools they need to complete their missions.

He concluded his visit by thanking the leaders of Task Force XII for a job well-done and reminded them to continue to look out for their Soldiers.

"Remember to take care of those wonderful maintainers and crew chiefs because they are just as important as the pilots," said Cody. "This (task force) has shown great discipline, and I'm awful proud of you and what you've been doing."

• Date Taken: 02.13.2008
• Date Posted: 02.13.2008 10:50
• Story ID: 16310
• Location: TAJI, IQ