Maintenance window scheduled to begin at February 14th 2200 est. until 0400 est. February 15th

(e.g. yourname@email.com)

Forgot Password?

    Defense Visual Information Distribution Service Logo

    Tenth Rotation of Salvadoran Soldiers Begins Duties in Iraq

    Ninth Rotation of Cuscatlan Battalion Completes Mission in Iraq

    Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Carlos Lazo | A female El Salvadoran soldier salutes as the Cuscatlan Battalion, 9th Rotation Color...... read more read more

    WASHINGTON, UNITED STATES

    02.25.2008

    Courtesy Story

    Defense.gov         

    The tenth rotation of soldiers from El Salvador assumed responsibility of humanitarian efforts in Kut, Iraq, Feb. 22.

    During a transfer-of-authority ceremony at Forward Operating Base Delta, Infantry Col. Walter Mauricio Arevalo Gavidia, commander of the Cuscatlan Battalion, 10th Rotation, took command from his predecessor.

    The outgoing commander, Artillery Col. Jose Atilio Benitez Parada, spoke of his country’s continued goal to assist the people of Iraq.

    “We Salvadorian soldiers of all ranks that form the Cuscatlan Battalion, Ninth Rotation, feel satisfied and proud of the labor … achieved with our efforts and the will to carry out our orders given to us by the president of the republic, commander and chief of our armed forces and by the people of El Salvador.”

    The Ninth Rotation conducted 34 humanitarian assistance missions benefiting more than 15,000 Iraqi citizens; they also completed 22 projects worth more than $2 million. Three projects are still in progress, worth approximately $300,000, and 24 more are awaiting approval, totaling more than $3 million.

    The projects run the gamut from health, electricity, water, education, communication, business development, transportation and reconstruction. The battalion worked closely with the Wasit Provincial Reconstruction Team to develop and execute the projects, U.S. officials said.

    Several sheiks of nearby villages and towns who worked with Benitez attended the ceremony.

    (Army Staff Sgt. Carlos Lazo is assigned to Multinational Division Center.)

    Story by Staff Sgt. Carlos Lazo, USA, Special to American Forces Press Service

    NEWS INFO

    Date Taken: 02.25.2008
    Date Posted: 07.03.2025 21:07
    Story ID: 523219
    Location: WASHINGTON, US

    Web Views: 0
    Downloads: 0

    PUBLIC DOMAIN