KIRKUK, Iraq -- During a Transfer of Authority ceremony, 1-1 Special Troops Battalion, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, out of Fort Bliss, Texas, assumed command of Base Operating Support-Integrator of Contingency Operating Site Warrior, Kirkuk, Iraq from the 506th Air Expeditionary Group, Aug. 13.
The ceremony marked the Army officially assuming command of base operations to include; security forces, incinerators, power planes, road maintenance, 2,900 buildings and life-support for 7,200 personnel.
The ceremony began with a speech from Air Force Col. Steven H. Slick, commander of 506th AEG, to the crowd of distinguished guests, explaining the importance of proper base operating support.
A base cannot run without base operating support, Warriors need a home to come to no matter their branch or what they do, he said.
“For the past seven years the 506th AEG has provided this to the personnel on Warrior and have done a fantastic job,” said Slick.
He continued by saying he is very proud to pass this responsibility to the 1-1 STB.
After this was said he passed the ceremonial key for COS Warrior to Col. Patricia A. Sellers, commander 1-1 STB.
“The 1-1 STB is honored to follow the proud tradition of excellent support provided by the Air Force for the past seven years and we pledge to continue outstanding base life support to the personnel here,” said Sellers, to the crowd.
She finished by saying, “We will do our very best to ensure that everyone here has a secure, safe and respectful environment on base to conduct the important missions required and set conditions for follow-on forces to transfer to stability operations.”