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101st Transfers Authority To 2nd Infantry Division
MOSUL, Iraq – On what was described as a bittersweet day for the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), the soldiers of 1st Squadron, 14th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division formally relieved 3rd Brigade, 101st Airborne Division of its responsibilities in the western Nineveh province.
The ceremony marked the first turnover from the 101st Abn. Div. (AASLT) to the Arrowhead Brigade.
Soldiers from both units gathered at a forward operating base west of Mosul where the Rakkasans of 3rd Brigade cased their unit colors as the Warhorse squadron unfurled theirs for the first time in this northern area of operations.
The ceremony concluded more than two weeks of relief-in-place operations conducted between the two units as control switched from the brigade level to the battalion level, in keeping with the troop reduction in Iraq intended by the Department of Defense.
The Rakkasans of 3rd Brigade distinguished themselves at the beginning of the war as one of the first units to cross into Iraq.
“Right to the end, the Rakkasans led the way, dreaming up the Ba’ath Party denunciation ceremonies and weapons turn ins,” said Maj. Gen. David H. Petraeus, commanding general, 101st Abn. Div. (AASLT).
“We have our work ahead of us,” said Lt. Col. Buddy Carman, commander, 1st Squadron, 14th Cavalry Regiment. “We continue the mission to defeat insurgents and continue on the path to return a safe, secure, liberated nation back to its people.”
In the spirit of that mission, Carman said the facility on which they would be based would be renamed forward operating base Fulda, in remembrance of the unit’s role on the Fulda Gap in Germany at the end of World War II.
Carman said he hoped the unit could carry on with the mission that 3rd Brigade, 101st Airborne Division began.
“We hope to improve the infrastructure so people can see the changes and improved quality of life here,” said Carman.
For the Warhorse squadron, their focus immediately shifts from that of directly combating insurgents to fostering the peace begun in the region.
Staff Sgt. Dwayne Gaines, Troop D, 1st Squadron, 14th Cavalry Regiment, said the unit wants to continue to maintain the good rapport and friendly atmosphere that the Rakkasan brigade developed during their time in the region.
While the living conditions improved for Warhorse soldiers as they moved from tent life at Forward Operating Base Pacesetter near Samarra the need to keep centered on the mission has not changed.
“This is pretty much a secure area but we need to stay focused,” said Gaines.
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