Band of Brothers’ takes control in Iraq
TIKRIT, Iraq -- Task Force Band of Brothers, run by the 101st Airborne Division, took command of the north central Iraq area of operations in a transfer of authority ceremony at Forward Operating Base Danger Tuesday.
During the ceremony, Task Force Liberty, run by the 42nd Infantry Division, a National Guard unit from New York, handed authority to the Screaming Eagles in front of regional and Coalition Force leaders.
This marks the second deployment of the 101st to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. The division was part of the initial ground war in 2003 that toppled the Saddam Hussein regime.
For the current deployment, the 1st and 3rd Brigade Combat Teams and the 101st Combat Aviation Brigade are deployed with the division, while the 2nd and 4th BCTs are attached to the 3rd Infantry Division. The 159th CAB and the 101st Sustainment Brigade are filling roles with the XVIII Airborne Corps at various locations throughout Iraq.
Task Force Band of Brothers also includes the 1st and 3rd BCTs, 3rd Inf. Div., Fort Stewart, Ga.; 18th Field Artillery Brigade, Fort Bragg, N.C.; and 555th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, Fort Lewis, Wash. The 3rd Inf. Div. units are scheduled to rotate out in the new year and will be replaced by other units not yet confirmed.
While in Iraq, Task Force Liberty trained and worked with Soldiers from the Iraqi army and security forces.
Because of the training’s success, the 42nd handed over control of the As Sulayminayah Province and 10 forward operating bases, including FOB Danger, to Iraqi police and soldiers, said Maj. Gen. Joseph Taluto, commander, 42nd Inf. Div. and Task Force Liberty.
“Today’s ceremony has some additional symbolic meaning. It marks the last time that coalition forces will host an event on these palace grounds,†Taluto said. “Soon this place that was for only an elite few will be the place for the Iraqi people. Instead of representing how one man used Iraq’s wealth, it now represents how Iraq’s wealth can serve the people.â€
The 101st will continue the work Task Force Liberty began in the region by continuing to train the Iraqi Army and Iraqi security forces and assisting them as they protect their country from terrorist elements and insurgents. TF Band of Brothers is dedicated to preserving the evolving, democratically elected government of Iraq, and ensuring the safety of its people.
“We look forward to working with the security forces of Iraq; the Iraqi army and Maj. Gen. Ahmed, commanding general of the Iraqi 5th Division in Dyiala Province, and Lt. Gen. Aziz, commanding general of the 4th Iraqi army in Sad, Kirkuk and Sulayminayah Province,†said Maj. Gen. Thomas Turner, commander, 101st Airborne Division and Task Force Band of Brothers. “The soldiers that these gentlemen command are in the fight everyday, risking not only their lives, but those of their families as they attempt to destroy the insurgency and provide the secure environment that will allow this democracy to flourish.â€
P.S. Dusty is in the 3rd Brigade....