1-9 FA transfers authority to 4-320 FA during TOA ceremony

Photo By Sgt. Paul Ondik | Lt. Col. Kevin Milton and Sgt. Maj. Charlie Lakin Jr. unfurl the battalion colors of 4-320th Field Artillery Battalion at their transfer of authority ceremony at Camp Loyalty in Baghdad Jan. 5. Photo by Pfc. Paul David Ondik, 506th RCT  

BAGHDAD, IRAQ

01.09.2006

Courtesy Story

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By Pfc. Paul David Ondik
506th RCT PAO, Task Force Ironhorse

BAGHDAD --The 4th Battalion, 320th Field Artillery Regiment, 506th Regimental Combat Team, Task Force Ironhorse, took authority of the lower Karradah district in eastern Baghdad from 1st Battalion, 9th Field Artillery Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division, during a transfer of authority ceremony at Camp Loyalty Thursday.

The 506th RCT assumed responsibility of eastern Baghdad Thursday from 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division.

"Our ultimate goal is to work ourselves out of a job," said Lt. Col. Kevin Milton, commander of 4-320th FA. Milton formally accepted the responsibility of supporting the newly elected government and combating the anti-Iraqi forces in Baghdad's Zafaraniya district from Lt. Col. Steven Merkel, commander of 1-9 FA.

"Our mission here is to maintain a safe environment," said Milton. "We will also take every opportunity to assist and interact with the Iraqi Security Forces."

The battalion colors were uncased by Command Sgt. Maj. Charlie Lakin Jr. in a combined 4-320th and 1-9 FA ceremony.

"We are prepared. We know what our mission is. Our goal is to help this country," said Lakin.

This changing of the guard represents a new chapter in the ongoing process of helping to build a new, freely elected and democratic Iraq, a nation capable of civil administration and enforcing rule of law.

"I've been here for two months, waiting for the day to take charge. I feel great about this," said Spc. Diego Teran, a human resource specialist for 4-320. The outgoing unit has given us tips, advice and (has) really shown us how they do things, said Teran.

The 4-320th is committed to working with the people of Zafaraniya in the common goal of growing democracy in Iraq, pledged Lakin. "Our priorities will remain security, governance, essential services and education."

• Date Taken: 01.09.2006
• Date Posted: 01.09.2006 10:09
• Story ID: 5016
• Location: BAGHDAD, IQ