Iraqi General Addresses S.C .Guard Unit

Photo By Maj. Brian Hare | Lt. Col. Richard A. Wholey Jr. presents Brig. Gen Ra’ed of the Iraqi Ground Forces Command with a miniature replica of a “T-wall” as a token of appreciation for serving as guest speaker during the 151st Expeditionary Signal Battalion Leadership Conference in Baghdad on March 12, while the General’s interpreter looks on.  

BAGHDAD, IRAQ

03.26.2011

Story by Brian Hare 

151st Expeditionary Signal Battalion

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Brig. Gen. Ra’ed of the Iraqi Ground Forces Command was presented with a token of appreciation by Lt. Col. Richard A. Wholey Jr., 151st Expeditionary Signal Battalion Commander, on Victory Base Complex in Baghdad, Iraq, March 12.

Ra’ed was a guest speaker at a leadership conference held by the 151st to discuss their role in the upcoming drawdown in the Iraqi theater.

A relationship between the 151st and the signal forces of the IGFC was established late last year when the 151st ESB was asked to provide information technology training to select Iraqi signal officers and non-commissioned officers. The 151st ESB has also provided advice and counsel to the IGFC on maintenance related issues and concerns.

The gift presented to the Iraqi general by Wholey was a miniature replica of a “T-wall,” the portable, steel reinforced concrete walls used for blast protection throughout Iraq and Afghanistan. The name “T-wall” stems from the cross-sectional shape of the barriers resembling an inverted letter T.

Although most T-walls in theater are not painted, this particular replica was painted orange. Wholey explained to the general that the significance of this was that the color orange is not only the designated color of the Army Signal Corps, but also the color of Clemson University, Wholey’s alma mater, a school which is located less than fifty miles from the Headquarters of the 151st ESB in Greenville, S.C.

• Date Taken: 03.26.2011
• Date Posted: 03.26.2011 04:33
• Story ID: 67767
• Location: BAGHDAD, IQ