Courtesy Photo | Capt. Stephen Harper, left, incoming commander of Company C “Venom,” Special...... read more read more
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Story by: Sgt. 1st Class Jonathan S. DeLong
BAGHDAD—Soldiers and leaders of the 1st “Vanguard” Battalion, 18th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Advise and Assist Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, United States Division –Center gathered to celebrate and observe the Change of Command ceremony for Company C “Venom,” Special Troops Battalion, 2nd AAB, 1st Inf. Div. May 25 at Camp Taji, Iraq.
The ceremony was conducted to bid farewell to Capt. Phillip Denker, the outgoing commander of Company C, STB and a Lee’s Summit, Mo., native, and welcome Capt. Stephen Harper, the incoming Company C, STB commander and a Willard, Mo., native.
The Change of Command ceremony is steeped in military tradition and serves the dual function of rendering honors to the departing commander and providing official recognition of the transfer of command to the incoming commander.
For the outgoing company commander, Denker, the last 13 months has been an exceptional experience in his career, he said.
During his time, Denker and his company of engineers trained for and deployed in support of Operation New Dawn. The training to prepare the company included urban operations, obstacle breaching, route clearance, establishing a hasty defense as well as a rotation to the Joint Readiness Training Center at Fort Polk, La.
Venom Company deployed in November 2010 to northern Baghdad and has conducted route clearance missions to support multiple battalions within 2nd AAB, ensuring convoys can travel safely to and from bases around the Baghdad area.
The company has conducted nearly 150 missions in six months. Additionally, they have conducted more than 120 joint patrols with the field engineer regiments of the 9th and 11th Iraqi Army Divisions and have logged nearly 5000 kilometers during these patrols.
“Our mission has been unique in that our company is simultaneously supporting three battalions by conducting route clearance missions,” said Denker. “We have two platoons detached to 5th Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment and 1st Battalion, 7th Field Artillery Regiment as well as supporting the ‘Vanguard’ Battalion.”
As a commander, Denker has had the charge to be responsible for everyone in his company and make necessary decisions which can affect them both positively and negatively.
“The responsibility to take care of the lives of the best people America has to offer falls squarely on the shoulders of the company command team,” said Denker. “It has been one of the most rewarding experiences in my life to have served with these amazing men and women in this capacity.”
For Lt. Col. John Cross, commander of 1st Bn., 18th Inf. Regt., having a (company) commander like Denker with his capabilities and leadership within the Vanguard formation has contributed immeasurably to the battalion’s operations.
“Capt. Denker and the ‘Venom Nation’ have done a remarkable job since joining the battalion in November,” said Cross. “Their ability to train their engineer counterparts in the Iraqi army while simultaneously preparing for their own route clearance and quick/aerial reaction force missions has been astounding,” he added.
As Denker departs Venom Company, he will assume command of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd AAB, 1st Inf. Div. In this position, Denker will be able to provide the care and leadership to the soldiers in brigade headquarters.
“It is a bittersweet day to see [Denker] go, but it will set the brigade up for success in the long run,” Cross said. “He will be turning command of the ‘Venom Nation’ over to Capt. Harper, a battle-proven leader and dedicated combat engineer who brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the formation and I have no doubt that [the formation] will thrive under his leadership.”
| Date Taken: | 05.25.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 06.06.2011 01:35 |
| Story ID: | 71647 |
| Location: | BAGHDAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 70 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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