Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Brandon Banzhaf | Unit Color Bearers lower their staffs as the National Anthem plays during the 1st...... read more read more
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During the ceremony, more than 400 Soldiers From the 1st AD, DIVARTY and HHBN were welcomed home from their nine-month deployment to Iraq in support of Operation Inherent Resolve, where they assumed authority of the Combined Joint Forces Land Component Command.
The Soldiers were responsible for mission command of coalition troops training, advising and assisting Iraqi Security Forces to establish the conditions for increased security and stability in Iraq.
“This team shared success of the Iraqi Security Forces, defeating ISIS and liberating Iraq,” said Maj. Gen. Robert “Pat” White, the commanding general for the 1st Armored Division and Fort Bliss. “When we took on CJFLCC’s mission last July, the Iraqis finally declared Mosul liberated and were looking down a long, challenging path to eliminate ISIS’s hold on the rest of the country. Over the next several months, the Soldiers from our team were tested and proved their worth.”
The Soldiers executed coordinating strikes to swiftly remove ISIS from Tal Afar and planned support for near-simultaneous clearance operations in Hawija, the Middle Euphrates River Valley, and the Anbar desert, White said.
“We built partner capacity and helped the Iraqi Security Forces execute collective training at professional, Coalition-led facilities,” White said. “But most importantly, Fort Bliss contributed to a liberated Iraq and enabled the Iraq Security Forces to provide stability for their country.”
Although the mission was successful, White said they would not have achieved their mission without the support from Soldiers, family members and civilians and the Task Force Tank Team.
“The staff and I were able to be completely successful in our deployment knowing that America’s Tank Division, Fort Bliss and El Paso were being fully taken care of by the Task Force Tank Team led by Brig. Gen. (Mark) Landes and Command Sgt. Maj. (Thilo) Hendricks,” White said. “The Soldiers and civilians at home took care of this installation, made great strides to improve the effectiveness of the division staff, and maintained strong bonds with the El Paso community.”
White was honored to have officials from the city of El Paso and the entire community in attendance for the ceremony because of their ceaseless support to the Soldiers.
“Our community is what makes Fort Bliss the greatest installation the United States Army has to offer and I am so thankful you have joined us today for this homecoming,” White said. “Our success could have not been possible without you.”
As the ceremony concluded, White proudly honored all of the Iron Soldiers for their hard work and dedication during the deployment.
“I am incredibly proud of every one of our Iron Soldiers,” White said. “Over the deployment, you became stronger together and forged bonds that can never be broken. You are part of the winning team that destroyed ISIS in Iraq and joined the warrior legacy of America’s Tank Division.”
“You have a lot to be proud of-do not forget that and do not forget to share our story”, White said. “Iraq put you to the test and your actions in the service of freedom earned your place in the history of the 1st Armored Division. Welcome home! Iron Soldiers!”
| Date Taken: | 03.26.2018 |
| Date Posted: | 04.05.2018 23:10 |
| Story ID: | 271158 |
| Location: | FORT BLISS, TEXAS, US |
| Web Views: | 68 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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