| CAMP LIBERTY, Iraq, November 8, 2006 - CAMP LIBERTY,
Iraq - With their soldiers proudly looking on, the commanders
of 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, and 2nd Brigade
Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, conducted a Transfer of Authority
ceremony here Monday and commemorated the completion of one unit's
service in Iraq and marked the beginning for another. The soldiers of 2nd BCT, 1st Armored Division, served eight months in Kuwait as the Theater Reserve Force prior to being called forward in July to support security operations in Baghdad. "These past months were both rewarding and challenging," said COL Robert Scurlock, commander, 2nd BCT, 1st Armored Division. "It is an honor to hand over the responsibility for the security of western Baghdad and Abu Ghraib to another Germany based unit." Scurlock described, with great admiration, the soldiers under his command during his time in Iraq and said he wished for success for his replacements from 2nd BCT, 1st Infantry Division. "I am extremely proud of every Soldier, Sailor, Airman, Marine and civilian in our two brigades," he said. "As long as our nation continues to produce great men and women like those who represent these two units, I have no doubt that we will always overcome any adversity." The soldiers of 2nd BCT, 1st Infantry Division are well trained and prepared for the mission. "The Dagger Brigade Combat Team today is very different than the one that left Schweinfurt a few months ago," said COL J.B. Burton, commander, 2nd BCT, 1st Infantry Division. The brigade's 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment, deployed to Iraq as the rest of the brigade continued to pack equipment and sent its vehicles to Kuwait. When they arrived, the 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment soldiers were attached to 506th Regimental Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, and conducted combat operations in eastern Baghdad. The remainder of the brigade arrived in Kuwait and began training on the most up-to-date tactics, techniques and procedures for operations in Iraq. Once in theater, the 1st Battalion, 77th Armor Regiment, deployed forward and were attached to 1st BCT, 1st Armored Division in Ramadi. 1st Battalion, 18th Infantry Regiment is currently operating in southern Baghdad with the 4th BCT, 4th Infantry Division; and 1st Battalion, 7th Field Artillery Regiment is providing Victory Base Complex security with its own battle space adjacent to 2nd BCT, 1st Infantry Division. 2nd BCT, 1st Infantry Division is augmented by the Soldiers of 9th Engineer Battalion, 299th Forward Support Battalion, and it's enabling units for Reconnaissance, Military Intelligence, Signal and Support. Other units attached to the brigade are the 4th Infantry Division's 1st Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment, and 8th Squadron, 10th Cavalry Regiment, from Fort Hood, TX, in addition to 1st Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, from Fort Lewis, WA. "I am extremely confident that each of our formations are fully prepared to overcome whatever challenges lay ahead," said Burton. "We are professionals and ambassadors of our nation and we live by the Army Values." |
