Photo By Sgt. David Hodge | Lt. Col. Dave Bair, commander, and Command Sgt. Maj. Brian Severino, senior enlisted...... read more read more
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By Sgt. David Hodge
1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division
FORWARD OPERATING BASE FALCON, Iraq – Multi-National Division – Baghdad Soldiers bid farewell to the 2nd Battalion, 4th Infantry Regiment, and welcomed the 1st Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, during a Transfer of Authority Ceremony Jan. 4 at Forward Operating Base Falcon in southern Baghdad.
The 1st "Panther" Bn., 505th PIR, attached to the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Multi-National Division – Baghdad, assumed responsibility for the communities in the eastern Rashid District from the 2nd "Warriors" Bn., 4th Inf. Regt., in front their fellow Soldiers, leaders and Iraqi security forces partners.
"The Soldiers of the 2nd Bn., 4th Inf. Regt,. have soldiered hard these past 13 months," said Col. Ted Martin, commander of the 1st BCT, 4th Inf. Div. "Their battlefield record is second to none, and their partnership with the 7th Brigade, 2nd National Police Division, serves as a model for all other battalions to emulate."
The 1st "Raider" Brigade salutes the Warriors, said Martin, who hails from Jacksonville Beach, Fla.
"I want to welcome the Soldiers of the 1st Bn., 505th PIR," said Martin. "Their outstanding battle reputation precedes them, and we have high hopes for continued success in East Rashid."
Part of the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, stationed at Fort Polk, La., the Warriors arrived in Iraq's capitol city in December 2007 and immediately began patrolling the Doura community, an area once stricken with violence but now stable due to improved security over the last year.
"2008 was a great year for the Doura community," said Lt. Col. Timothy Watson, commander of the 2nd Bn., 4th Inf. Regt., attached to the 1st BCT, 4th Inf. Div. "We have seen a transition from combat operations to the restoration of essential services."
Over the 13-month deployment, the Warriors discovered approximately 50 roadside bombs, 90 weapons caches and detained dozens of criminals, explained Watson. The Warriors also expanded essential services by improving electricity, paving roads, fixing sewers and refurbishing schools.
Watson said he credits much of Doura's success to local leaders within the communities and combat support from the ISF.
"The 7th Bde., 2nd NP Div., have proved themselves to be a disciplined and professional force that the people of Doura can trust," explained Watson, who hails from Atkinson, N.H.
Brig. Gen. Karim Hoseinee, commander of the 7th Bde., 2nd NP Div., congratulated the Warriors for a job well done and welcomed the new battalion.
"We could not establish and enforce the security in the community without the sacrifices from U.S. Soldiers and the ISF," said Karim. "I give my thanks to all the brave Soldiers who put their lives at risk to secure Rashid."
To demonstrate his appreciation, Karim presented small decorative throw rugs to MND-B leaders during the ceremony.
"We are excited and honored to serve alongside the ISF leadership and community leaders," said Lt. Col. Dave Bair, commander, 1st Bn., 505th PIR, attached to the 1st BCT, 4th Inf. Div. "These brave men are heroes to their people and are strong leaders who will triumphantly lead Doura back to greatness. We will support the ISF every step of the way."
Since 2001, the Panthers deployed five times: three deployments to Iraq and two tours to Afghanistan in support of the Global War on Terror, said Bair.
"This day is special for the paratroopers of this battalion because it marks the beginning of another chapter in our storied history," he added.
The Panther Bn., is part of the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, stationed out of Fort Bragg, N.C., currently scheduled for a 12-month deployment in support of MND-B and Operation Iraqi Freedom.
| Date Taken: | 01.05.2009 |
| Date Posted: | 01.05.2009 03:01 |
| Story ID: | 28445 |
| Location: | BAGHDAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 211 |
| Downloads: | 180 |
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