SECDEF Meets with Task Force 1st Armored Division Soldiers, Views ICDC
BAGHDAD, Iraq -- The Office of the Secretary of Defense sent word to the military leadership in Iraq earlier this month: The Hon. Donald Rumsfeld, U.S. Secretary of Defense, was coming to Iraq, and he specifically wanted to see the 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment, which is assigned to Task Force 1st Armored Division
The communiqué continued: The Secretary of Defense, in addition to meeting with the Regiment’s troopers, was interested in seeing the Iraqi Civil Defense Academy at Camp Muleskinner.
The Hon. Rumsfeld arrived at Camp Muleskinner at 9:30 a.m. Feb. 24 with 35 people in his entourage, including Lt. Gen. John Craddock, the senior military advisor to the Secretary of Defense.
The 2nd ACR’s ICDC academy has trained more than 1,500 new guardsmen who have been integrated into operations in support of their country and communities.
The cadre at the ICDC Academy is made up predominately of Dragoon and 1st Armored Division NCOs and Soldiers.
The Secretary of Defense wanted to see how well Iraqis were responding to the call from the world to take charge of their country.
Upon arrival by helicopter, Col. Brad May, the regimental commander, and Lt. Col. Jack Curran, regimental support squadron commander, greeted Mr. Rumsfeld.
On hand for the event were Brig. Gen. Martin Dempsey, 1st Armored Division commanding general, Brig. Gen. Mark Hertling, assistant division commander for support, and Brig. Gen. Curtis M. Scaparrotti, assistant division commander for maneuver.
The secretary was given an overview briefing on the state of security in Baghdad. Information presented included discussions on the Iraqi contingency and reports on the ICDC and the Iraqi Police Service.
Mr. Rumsfeld said he was pleased with the course of action in training the Iraqi volunteers and the numbers of ICDC soldiers and police officers that are projected to be available to serve their country in the near future.
The next stop was the ICDC Academy.
The secretary spent about 30 minutes touring the facility, talking with the cadre, and lauding the ICDC trainees for their service.
“I am so proud of you all for what you are doing for your country,” he said. “The future of Iraq is in your hands.”
He also complimented the cadre for their tireless work, presenting many of them with his official commemorative coin. He spent about 10 minutes posing for pictures and talking with the large group of Soldiers that had gathered outside to see him.
“He was very cool,” said one Solider. “Sometimes these guys get so involved with stuff way above our heads that what it means to us that he actually came out here gets lost in translation. You could tell he is proud of us and that means a lot.”
As the 2nd ACR Dragoons prepared to come home to Fort Polk, La., after a year in Baghdad in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, little surprises the troopers these days.
They have seen and been through so much working with the people of Baghdad and making life better for them. The Soldiers have worked hard making the camps that they operate a comfortable, safe place for follow-on troops.
