Sledgehammer Brigade wraps up successful tour

Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Mark Wojciechowski | Soldiers of 4th Infantry Divisions 1-68th Cavalry unload there gear and get settled in at Forward Operating Base Gabe near Bouquba, Iraq.  

01.09.2006

Story by Sgt. 1st Class Mark Wojciechowski 

133rd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

Staff Sgt. Mark Wojciechowski
133rd MPAD


BAHQUBAH, Iraq (December 30, 2005) " The 3rd Infantry Divisions 1/10th Field Artillery at Forward Operating Base Gabe is wrapping up its year-long tour and handing its job over to members of the 4th Infantry Division's, 1/68th Armor from Fort Carson, Colo. It has been an eventful year for the Sledgehammer Brigade and their job has been tough, but they are leaving the area in capable hands.

Sgt. Maj. Rollie Russell, with the 4th Infantry Division and native of Colorado Springs, Colo., said, "Our unit is made up of approximately 65% of the Soldiers in this battalion that were here in Operation Iraqi Freedom I."

The Soldiers of 4th Infantry Division are very well trained and their morale is high.

"We have a very diverse mission, said Russell. "We are one battalion taking over for an entire brigade."

1st Lt. Clay Bibb, a battle captain for the 1/68th Cavalry, said, "We have a good combination of people that have never been here with people with a lot of experience." "We are here to help make the transition from mostly coalition forces, to the Iraqi Security Forces protecting the Iraqis," said Bibb.

The 1/68th will be getting all of their gear, getting acquainted with the translators and getting accustomed to the area they will be working in when the 1/10th Field Artillery moves out in a couple weeks.

• Date Taken: 01.09.2006
• Date Posted: 01.09.2006 10:39
• Story ID: 5023