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IA takes
control during historical ceremony
Blackanthem Military News,
BALAD, Iraq, April 15, 2006
13:52
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Staff Sgt. Juan Villanueva, 1-8 Combined Arms Battalion, 3rd Heavy
Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Task Force Band of
Brothers, stands next to his Iraqi army brothers-in-arms during a
Transfer of Authority ceremony at an Iraqi army post near Balad, Iraq,
April 15. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Zach Mott, 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat
Team, 4th Infantry Division Public Affairs Office, April 15, 2006) |
Iraqi Soldiers assumed control
of part of Salah al Din Province from 1-8 Combined Arms Battalion in a
Transfer of Authority ceremony at an Iraqi army outpost near Balad, Iraq,
April 15.
The 3rd Battalion, 1st Brigade, 4th Iraqi Army Division is assuming
control of an area of responsibility that encompasses Balad, Al Duluyah
and Yethrib, as well as the smaller villages surrounding these cities.
"We’re not pulling out of here right away; we’re out here to be by their
sides," said Command Sgt. Maj. Daniel Dailey, command sergeant major, 1-8
CAB, 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Task Force Band
of Brothers. "But, (to) put them in the lead and set them up front so the
people notice that they’re out front, out leading, (that) they care about
their people."
With an Iraqi face on the forces that provide security it has allowed the
joint force to improve security not just for the Soldiers but for the
Iraqi people who call this region northwest of Baghdad home.
"This battalion could not conduct this operation without the cooperation
from all the citizens in the area," said Lt. Col. Hamed, commander, 3rd Bn.,
1st Bde., 4th Div. "By this cooperation we are creating a safer
environment for all Iraqis."
The cooperation of the citizens, as well as the cooperation with coalition
forces, has allowed the 3rd Battalion to be successful in providing
security in this region as well as ridding it of insurgents.
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Col. Shojaa, commander 1st Brigade, 4th Iraqi Army Division, and Col.
Brian D. Jones, commander, 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry
Division, Task Force Band of Brothers, render honors to the national
anthem during a Transfer of Authority ceremony at an Iraqi army base
near Balad, Iraq. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Zach Mott, 3rd Heavy
Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division Public Affairs Office,
April 15, 2006) |
"The battalion has conducted
many operations to capture insurgents," said Col. Shojaa, the 1st Brigade,
4th Iraqi Army Division commander. "During this operation, we have found
numerous amounts of weapons, IED materials and we have captured many
terrorists. Our battalion also conducted security operations during the
elections."
The accomplishments of this
battalion are helping secure Iraq as the country is stabilizing its
government.
"Their efforts in fighting the terrorists that threaten the citizens of
Iraq have not gone unnoticed and their discipline, training and dedication
are setting a tremendous example for their fellow Soldiers," said Col.
Brian D. Jones, commander, 3rd HBCT, 4th ID. "It will be an honor for me
to stand on the same field as these brave Soldiers."
The 3rd Battalion played an instrumental role in the successes enjoyed
during Operation Cowpens - a month-long operation on the Jabouri Peninsula
that yielded numerous caches and seriously hampered the insurgent efforts
to create chaos.
"I believe that doing (Cowpens) jointly was a great factor (in
transferring authority of this region to the battalion)," Dailey said.
"The people saw that their people were there. I don’t think it could have
been done without the Iraqi army help."
The 3rd Battalion, 1st Brigade, 4th Iraqi Army Division was established in
December 2003 and was formerly known as the 203rd Iraqi National Guard
Battalion prior to its current designation.
By Sgt. Zach Mott
3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division Public Affairs Office
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