JTF Med 374 Completes Transfer of Authority ending 9-month deployment to Baghdad Iraq

Photo By Staff Sgt. Michael Romero | JTF MED 374 (left) led by Col. Robert Gregg and Command Sgt. Major Jason Hopkins stands in the front of their formation with their colors cased, alongside JTF MED 32 (right), led by Col. Rose Freeman and Command Sgt. Maj. Jonathan Graves with their colors presented, representing completion of the relief in place official transfer of authority (RIPTOA).  

BAGHDAD, IRAQ

03.01.2023

Story by Capt. Brandon Janson 

807th Medical Command (Deployment Support)

BAGHDAD Iraq--Joint Task Force MED 374, made up of the 374th Hospital Center and the 801st Field Hospital, cased its colors (flag) last month during a relief in place transfer of authority ceremony (RIP/TOA). The RIP/TOA ceremony is a formal tradition where two units display their respective colors in one formation, with the departing unit lowering and encasing their colors by rolling and placing it in a storage sleeve. The incoming unit then unrolls its flag by presenting it and assumes responsibility. A military formation usually follows commands from a single flag, not two, so only one is presented at a time. The RIP/TOA ceremony is just one phase of the transition process but vital for continued medical operations in theater.

Col. Robert Gregg and Command Sgt. Major Jason Hopkins, the senior leadership for the outgoing unit, rolled up the JTF MED 374 colors. The incoming unit, JTF MED 32, was represented by Col. Rose Freeman and Command Sgt. Maj. Jonathan Graves, an active-duty Hospital Center based out of Fort. Polk, Louisiana.

Each of the commanders spoke at the ceremony, as well as Maj. Gen. Matthew McFarlane, commanding general of Combined Joint Task Force - Operation Inherent Resolve (CJTF-OIR).

“Today is a perfect day to recognize the contributions of the Great Lakes Medics,” said Gregg. “I am grateful for your service. You should be proud of your accomplishments. You are the only medical unit engaged in the world providing medical support to the U.S. Army, Navy, and the Air Force, as well our Coalition partners. You executed health service support and force health protection to three different countries in support of Operation Inherent Resolve. In their greatest time of need, day or night, you truly “Made it Matter” to our sick and injured Soldiers, as well as our Allied partners.”

Further reflecting on the accomplishments of JTF MED 374, Maj General McFarlane offered words of encouragement to the outgoing unit.

“Progress is slow and sometimes hard to see,” he said. “But there has been progress. I hope you all are able to look back on your many accomplishments here and be proud of what you have done. You have left your successors in a better place.”

McFarlane also spoke about how JTF MED 374 had admirably contributed to the ongoing mission of Operation Inherent Resolve and assisting in the main objectives of the campaign of defeating Daesh, a formerly occupied tourist group, in Iraq and Syria. JTF MED 374 sustained military partner capacity, as well providing support to the Iraqi nation by advising, assisting, and enabling Iraqi Security Forces.

McFarlane also jokingly made references to Ohio State and Michigan, as the exiting command team had strong ties to each of the colleges, which had been referenced on more than one occasion throughout the deployment.

During the ceremony, narrator, Staff Sgt. Kyle Krull, Combat Medic, gave a brief overview of the units, reviewing each hospital unit’s inductions, assignments, and accomplishments. This included service in World War II, Iraq, Kosovo, and even stateside activation in response to COVID-19.

The RIP/TOA ceremony concluded a 9-month hospital operations deployment period, with a two-week transition. The units completed an entire hospital inventory and a left seat right seat, a formal activity where the outgoing unit provides the incoming unit with an orientation of the facility, equipment, supplies and everyday operations as thy transitioned from the driver’s seat to the passenger seat. The two units had been in constant communication for months in preparation for the seamless handover.

Concluding his speech, Gregg challenged his troops to share their appreciation of families and friends of troops back home.

“Take time to thank them for their support. If it was not for the support of our loved ones and communities, none of this would be possible,” he said.

To conclude the ceremony, the two Task Forces joined together in singing the Army Song.

• Date Taken: 03.01.2023
• Date Posted: 03.24.2023 12:02
• Story ID: 440435
• Location: BAGHDAD, IQ
• Hometown: CHICAGO, IL, US
• Hometown: INDIANAPOLIS, IN, US