JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq — A transfer of authority ceremony occurred, Dec. 10, as the 3rd Battalion, 158 Aviation Regiment assumed duty from the outgoing 1st Battalion, 137th Aviation Regiment.
Task Force Storm, 3-158, deployed here from Katterbach, Germany to replace the Army National Guard Soldiers of Task Force Pegasus, 1-137.
During 3-158's deployment here, the "Storm Rider" Soldiers will fall in under Task Force 38 and will continue the aviation missions conducted by 1-137th Soldiers.
"They [1-137th Soldiers] set high standards for us to follow, and I look forward to the challenge," said Lt. Col. Michael Bentley, 3-158 AVN commander, during the ceremony.
While here, Task Force Storm will conduct full-spectrum aviation operations in support of Multi-National Force - Iraq and Multi-National Corps - Iraq in order to provide freedom of maneuver of U.S. and Iraqi forces to secure and maintain a stable environment for the Iraqi national government. They will also provide direct support to special operations forces here.
"You are leaving this mission in good hands," said Bentley to Lt. Col. Anthony Digiacomo, Task Force Pegasus commander.
The ceremony marked the beginning of the Storm Riders' third Operation Iraqi Freedom tour and the end of Task Force Pegasus' Iraqi deployment. After the unit's nearly year-long mobilization, 1-137 Soldiers are scheduled to return home to Ohio and Indiana.
"I am very proud of the battalion's accomplishments," said Digiacomo. "Each of the companies enabled the success of this battalion.
Digiacomo said the replacement process went well between the outgoing and incoming units, and he has full confidence in the 3-158's ability to excel in the mission.
"I enjoyed working with the 3-158. You guys are a great organization and will do great things," said Digiacomo. "Pegasus out."