Iraqi Army division assumes battlespace responsibility

Blackanthem Military News, CAMP TAJI, Iraq, March 25, 2006 11:11

The 1st Mechanized Battalion, 1st Mechanized Brigade, 9th Iraqi Army Division, assumed battlespace north of Baghdad from 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division’s Special Troops Battalion, during a ceremony March 20.

The battle space assumption further increases the area of responsibility for the 9th IAD by approximately 18-square kilometers.

"The Iraqi Army is getting better every day," said Col. James Pasquarette, commander of 1st BCT. "They are a capable security force. They impress me because they can gather intelligence from the Iraqi citizen better than we can."

"They (the Iraqi Army) are motivated and trained to take over the mission. I was really impressed," said Capt. Lou Castillo, commander of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, STB, 1st BCT. "They are a ready and trained force."

The STB transitioned from land management to project management of all the infrastructure, reconstruction and essential services projects occurring in the brigade’s area of operations.

"It’s a good thing to have the Iraqi Army assuming more of the battlespace," Pasquarette added. "It’s our goal for them to take over our entire area of operations before we leave."

"Since we are no longer responsible for the battlespace that we had, that’s a company that does not have to return to Iraq and is freed up to do something else," said Maj. David Patton, the operations officer for 1st STB. "Now we manage 73 projects valued over $38 million throughout the Raider Brigade area. We will continue to be very busy."

In the BCT’s area of operation, the 1st. Mech. Bde., 9th IA Div., is conducting independent operations. The 2nd Tank Bde., 9th IA Div. will assume their portion of the battle space in a few months.

By MULTI-NATIONAL DIVISION - BAGHDAD
4th Infantry Division
CAMP LIBERTY