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| More than 100 troops stand at attention as the 35th Signal Brigade hands over command responsibility to the 22nd Signal Brigade. |
| By U.S. Army Pfc. Matthew Clifton Multinational Corps-Iraq |
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CAMP VICTORY, Iraq, Nov. 9, 2005 — The 35th Signal Brigade, 18th Airborne Corps, Fort Bragg, N.C., handed over command responsibility for corps-level signal capabilities in Iraq to the 22nd Signal Brigade, 5th Corps, Hoechst, Germany, in a transfer of authority ceremony today at Camp Victory.
More than 100 servicemembers stood at attention as U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. James Jordan, sergeant major, and Col. Bryan Ellis, commander, 35th Signal Brigade, cased their colors and Command Sgt. Maj. Thomas J. Clark, sergeant major, and Col. Frederick Cross, commander, 22nd Signal Brigade, uncased theirs. "Many people have played an integral part in our success in the past year," Ellis said. "While deployed, we have successfully introduced and used new technology that has been a key to the fight." Most 35th soldiers measure their success by what they have done for the Iraqi people during the past year, such as contributing to the success of Iraq's elections and the drafting of their constitution, Ellis said. Thanks to the 35th, with the help of other units and contractors, the coalition has been successful in running the most complex communications system throughout Iraq, said Lt. Gen. John R. Vines, commander, Multinational Corps Iraq, 18th Airborne Corps and Fort Bragg. |
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Vines was the guest speaker for the ceremony. "To all of the warriors in the 35th, I want to say well done," Vines said. "To the 22nd who are returning: it is great to have you back." The 22nd Signal Brigade is starting their second deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom after having deployed the first time in March 2003. "The 22nd is fully prepared to assume our wartime mission," said Cross. "I want to thank the 35th for their warm reception, and our goal is to improve upon the success of the 35th Signal Brigade." It is a different fight and a different enemy. Soldiers must be ready to engage at all times, Vines said. "Many people may think that the threat of Islamic Jihadists started with the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center," Vines said. "In fact, the threat started at least 25 years ago ... we are facing a global problem," Vines said. "We must have the courage and commitment to conquer it." It doesn't matter when the threat started. It only matters that the threat is recognized, and the Coalition is committed to the elimination of that threat, Vines added. "When we get back to Fort Bragg, our thoughts and prayers will be with all of the soldiers who continue to fight here," Ellis said. "We will also continue to remember and honor those soldiers who have made the ultimate sacrifice."
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