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Blackanthem Military News
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Last Updated:
May 16, 2012 - 4:45:44 PM |
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Blackanthem Military News
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| A Soldier with the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment assists 8th Iraqi Army Soldiers in affixing Multiple Integrated Laser Engagement System, or MILES gear, to their M16 assault rifles at a collective training event at An Numaniyah Military Training Base in Numaniyah, Iraq, April 24. During this four-month training event, named "Eagles Rising," a team of 3rd ACR and Iraqi Army cadre trained different companies of the 8th Iraqi Army Division in external defense tactics. US Army photo by Staff Sgt. Garret Ralston |
BABIL, Iraq - August 31 marks a year since U.S. Troops began serving under Operation New Dawn. This month the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, the first Advise and Assist Brigade to deploy to Iraq under the new operational moniker, concludes its yearlong deployment.
"We began this deployment with a clear mission: to advise, train and assist the Iraqi Security Forces and enable the provincial reconstruction teams in civic assistance to the population," said Col. Reginald Allen, 3rd ACR commander, originally from New York City, N.Y. "More than that, though, we were here to begin closing out the U.S. military mission in Iraq with dignity, respect and courage in honor of those brave Soldiers who lost their lives and were wounded since 2003."
In keeping with the primary facet of the unit's mission, 3rd ACR developed close ties with the Iraqi Security Forces in their area of responsibility. The unit trained more than 14,000 members of the Iraqi Security Forces in individual skills, ranging from humvee maintenance to crime scene investigation techniques, and collective unit tasks.
In a large-scale, four-month training event with the 8th Iraqi Army, a team of 3rd ACR and Iraqi Army cadre trained 20 companies in external defense scenarios. The training involved the first use of the Multiple Integrated Laser Engagement System in Iraq, allowing for more realistic battlefield conditions.
"I think 3rd ACR's legacy is to be that of a long-term enduring partner with multiple Iraqi units," said Command Sgt. Maj. Jonathan Hunt, senior noncommissioned officer of the regiment and a native of St. Louis, Mo. "We've served four years over here in four different locations, and we've had the opportunity to assist the Iraqi Security Forces in numerous training events. So, I think the legacy that we're leaving is one of building stability and capability in the ISF."
3rd ACR operated in the five northern provinces of southern Iraq, immediately south of Baghdad - an area where several different insurgent militias have been known to operate.
"U.S. Troops here are operating in a complex environment," said Allen. "We are a force conducting stability operations in an indigenous counterinsurgency environment under a security agreement. Those type of conditions present many challenges."
During the deployment, the unit witnessed positive steps in the development of the rule of law in their area of responsibility. In cooperation with Iraqi Security Forces, the regiment detained 58 suspected terrorists and followed the chain of evidence that placed them into the Iraqi court system. In an unprecedented trial in southern Babil Province in May, four criminals were convicted on terrorism charges against U.S. Forces and sentenced to 15 years each in prison, representing the first documented conviction at the provincial level for crimes against Americans. The driving force behind this was the regiment's prosecution task force, composed of lawyers, intelligence and law enforcement professionals and other unit leaders.
"The prosecution task force was a key mission for 3rd ACR because it not only facilitated the rule of law, which increased Iraqi judicial efficiency and transparency, but it also positively influenced our force protection," said Maj. Jay Stephenson of Mackinac Island, Mich., and the senior legal advisor of the regiment. "Furthermore, as other nations view the Iraqis prosecuting suspected terrorists, it will encourage outside investing, leading to a more financially stable and secure Iraq."
Soldiers from 3rd ACR partnered with the provincial reconstruction teams to build schools, provide grants to small businesses and support the local economy in the unit's five provinces. Notable among these projects were facility improvements to the museum at the site of the historic Ruins of Babylon and the construction of 212 greenhouses to support local farmers in Diwaniyah Province.
In keeping with the planned withdrawal of U.S. military by Dec. 31, 3rd ACR supported a responsible drawdown of forces by closing four bases ahead of schedule and tapering its footprint in southern Iraq from seven bases at the beginning of the deployment to three.
"We were able to return each of four bases better than we got them," said Maj. Michael Rutherford, supply and logistics officer of the regiment and a native of San Diego, Calif. "We've returned them all in a state of environmental compliance, even by American EPA standards. All workspaces are fully functional and in compliance with OSHA standards, and at each location, a fiber optic network was left intact and exploitable."
With the deployment behind them, he unit will transform to a Stryker Cavalry Regiment in November, making this the last deployment for the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment in its current configuration as an armored force of M1 Abrams tanks and M3 Bradley Fighting Vehicles.
"Our work here served as a delaying action that provided time and space for the U.S. Government to negotiate a long-term strategic partnership between our two countries," said Allen. "The regiment won its fight and made a difference in Iraq, thanks to the sacrifices of brave Soldiers and faithful Families."
ADDITIONAL PHOTOS:
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| An Iraqi Army Soldier reacts to a battlefield scenario while Soldiers of the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment monitor progress during a collective training event at An Numaniyah Military Training Base in Numaniyah, Iraq, March 23. The training, named "Eagles Rising," was developed and executed by 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment and a team of Iraqi Army cadre and was intended to train members of the 8th Iraqi Army Division in external defense tactics. US Army photo by Staff Spc. Adam Hefner |
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| Col. Reginald Allen, commander of the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, shows leaders in Karbala Province a map after a base transfer ceremony May 14. The map depicts the location and details of all of the projects completed through the efforts of the U.S. Government in the province since 2003. The 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment transferred Patrol Base Hussiniyah and three other military bases to Iraqi Security Forces during a 12-month deployment. |
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| Soldiers from Company D, 1st Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, take time to play a game with children at the Al Shomali School. In coordination with the provincial reconstruction teams in the unit's area of responsibility, the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment supported numerous civic improvement projects, including the construction and improvement of local schools. Photo by U.S. Army. |
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| Soldiers from C Troop, 1st Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment conduct a halt at a blocked section of road near Contingency Operating Site Kalsu July 17. 3rd ACR Soldiers conducted more than 12,400 patrols to ensure the safety of U.S. Forces, advise and train Iraqi Security Forces, and provide assistance to the Iraqi populace during the unit's 12-month deployment. US Army photo by Staff Sgt. Garret Ralston |
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