1st Cavalry Division to take over Baghdad command

Stars & Stripes ^ | November 15, 2006 | Joseph Giordono

[TexKat]

For the second time in some 18 months, the 1st Cavalry Division will assume command of the U.S. military presence in Baghdad, taking over responsibility Wednesday morning from the 4th Infantry Division.

At a ceremony scheduled to take place at Camp Liberty, the 1st Cav will become the commanding element of Multi-National Division-Baghdad, comprising some 70,000 American, Iraqi and other foreign troops tasked with operating in and around the Iraqi capital.

The command of U.S. forces in Baghdad will be passed from Maj. Gen. J.D. Thurman, commander of the 4th Infantry Division, to Maj. Gen. Joseph Fil Jr., of the 1st Cav.

The 4th ID will be wrapping up its second Iraq deployment in three years and returning to Fort Hood, Texas, where the 1st Cav also is based. In January, the “Ivy” division took over from the 3rd Infantry Division.

According to a military news release, MND-Baghdad includes some 13 brigades of the U.S. Army and recently expanded its battle space to 17,000 square miles. Military officials said that, during the 4th ID’s time in command, the Iraqi army forces “in the lead” of security operations went from one division, three brigades and 13 battalions to two divisions, 10 brigades and 25 battalions.

“Our strategy remains to clear, hold and build,” Thurman was quoted as saying. “We’ve seen positive effects in neighborhoods that we have cleared and continue to protect with combined forces.”

Between January and November, officials said, MND-Baghdad conducted nearly 150 battalion-or-larger-size operations, including 14 air assaults. The division averaged more than 40,000 patrols per month.

In recent months, U.S. military commanders have called Baghdad the most crucial battle in the war. A monthslong effort dubbed Operation Together Forward has been aimed at rooting out sectarian violence, with several units moved into Baghdad and at least one brigade extended from its scheduled redeployment.

The transfer comes at a crucial time in the fight for Baghdad, where sectarian killings, religious militias and reprisal attacks threaten everyday security. In the latest incident, dozens of employees of a government research institute were kidnapped during a daytime raid on their compound. Estimates of the number kidnapped varied between 30 to 150, depending on which Iraqi government entity was providing the figures.

Witnesses said the raid was carried out by gunmen wearing Ministry of Interior command uniforms.

[TexKat]

Iraqi Defence Minister Abdul Qadir al-Obaidi (R) embraces outgoing U.S. Major-General James Thurman, Commander of the 4th Infantry Division, during the transition of authority ceremony at the U.S. military Camp Liberty in Baghdad November 15, 2006. U.S. troops from the 1st Cavalry Division will take over the command from the 4th Infantry Division in Iraq. REUTERS/Ali Jasim (IRAQ)

Top U.S. commander in Iraq, General George Casey (R) shakes hands with outgoing U.S. Major-General James Thurman, Commander of the 4th Infantry Division, during the transition of authority ceremony at the U.S. military Camp Liberty in Baghdad, November 15, 2006. U.S. troops from the 1st Cavalry Division will take over the command from the 4th Infantry Division in Iraq. REUTERS/Ali Jasim (IRAQ)

U.S. Major-General James Thurman, Commander of the 4th Infantry Division, stands at attention during the transition of authority ceremony at the U.S. military Camp Liberty in Baghdad November 15, 2006. U.S. troops from the 1st Cavalry Division will take over the command from the 4th Infantry Division in Iraq. REUTERS/Ali Jasim (IRAQ)

U.S. soldiers hold up the U.S. flag and an Iraqi flag (hidden) during the transition of authority ceremony at the U.S. military Camp Liberty in Baghdad November 15, 2006. U.S. troops from the 1st Cavalry Division will take over the command from the 4th Infantry Division in Iraq. REUTERS/Ali Jasim (IRAQ)

[TexKat]

U.S. 1st Cavalry Division takes over security in Baghdad ping.

[Ax]

Anybody know if MG James Thurman is related to retired LTG Maxwell (Mad Max) Thurman, former commander of SOUTHCOM?

[TexKat]

Fort Hood Prepares To Welcome Thousands Of Soldiers Home

(November 14, 2006)—As Fort Hood’s 4th Infantry Division officially completes the transfer of responsibility for operations in and around Baghdad to the post’s 1st Cavalry Division, thousands of 4th ID soldiers begin to return to post in November.

Soldiers from the division’s Fires Brigade, Aviation Brigade, 2nd Brigade Combat Team and Special Troops Battalion are scheduled to return to post this week.

About 21,000 soldiers in all will return from Iraq by the end of the year.

The 1st Cavalry Division, meanwhile, is setting up shop again on its second tour of duty in Iraq.

The Cav’s 3rd Brigade Combat Team has already assumed responsibility from the 4th ID’s 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team for operations in Iraq’s Diyala Province.

During the first deployment, the division’s Task Force Baghdad was responsible for securing Iraq’s capital ahead of the country’s historic elections.

Baghdad remains a dangerous place, but most of the violence now targets Iraqi’s rather than US troops, although roadside bombs continue to exact a heavy toll in US lives.

Suspected Shiite militiamen abducted dozens of people Wednesday from an Iraqi education ministry office on a day during which scores of Iraqis were either killed or found dead around the country.


http://www.kwtx.com/news/headlines/4647971.html

[CholeraJoe]

From one Ft. Hood division to the other.

[Bahbah]

I am just now listening to hearings of the Senate Armed Services Cmte. Gen. Abizaid and David Satterfield are trying to tell the arrogant senators how vital success in Iraq is.

[agere_contra]

Best wishes to your gallant troops.

[COBOL2Java]

May God bless and protect our brave military, Coalition and Iraqi, and may He put a fire under the butts of the Iraqi politicians to help them get their act together...

[Route66]

Prayers and thanks for 1st Cav.

[TexKat]

General Maxwell Thurman: Maxwell Thurman, 64, had been diagnosed with leukemia in 1990. Dubbed "Mad Max" and "Maxatollah" by colleagues for his aggressive style, Maxwell Thurman delayed his retirement at the request of the Bush administration so he could spearhead the effort to oust Gen. Manuel Noriega's regime. Gen. John Shalikashvili, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, called Thurman "a remarkable soldier" who loved the Army. "He was a visionary who carved out a path for the Army of today and, by doing so, showed us courage, talent, intelligence and strength of character," Shalikashvili said. Maxwell Thurman was named commander of the U.S. Southern Command, based at Quarry Heights, Panama, in September 1989. Responsible for U.S. forces in South and Central America, Thurman pledged at the time to confront "tyranny in all its insidious forms." He was widely credited with persuading the Pentagon leadership and the Bush administration to use military force against Noriega's regime.

Thurman retired in February 1991 after a 37-year career. He had learned he had an aggressive form of leukemia in July 1990. The general made his reputation as an aggressive, take-charge commander -- a man known, in the words of one officer, for "driving his staff crazy because he was a bachelor and the guy never went home." Born Feb. 18, 1931, in High Point, N.C., he was a graduate of North Carolina State University in Raleigh, where he enrolled in ROTC and got his officer's commission. Thurman held a variety of staff and command positions in Europe and the United States, and served in Vietnam, first as a corps intelligence adviser and later as commander of the 2nd Battalion, 35th Field Artillery, during the Tet offensive. That 1968 battle was considered a public disaster for the United States but a tactical victory in the field for U.S. forces. He held numerous key Army posts, including vice chief of staff and commanding general of the U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command at Fort Monroe, Va., before taking the top spot at Southern Command. Maxwell Thurman headed the Army's Recruiting Command at Fort Sheridan, Ill., where he worked to develop the service's "Be all that you can be" campaign. It was during these years, in the mid-1980s that Thurman is credited with vastly improving the quality of the average soldier. Under Thurman's guidance, according to an Army release, "the modern professional Army we now possess came into existence." Maxwell Thurman is survived by his brother, retired Army Lt. Gen. John R. Thurman III of Alexandria, Va. He is to be buried Thursday at Arlington National Cemetery. Source: Oklahoman Newspaper Publication Date: December 02, 1995

http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~lthurman/obits.html

[Stonewall Jackson]

One of my friends just headed over there with the 1st Cav. This is his second deployment, but he told me just a few weeks ago that he is really anxious to head back over.

His parents did not approve of Danny joining the Army after 9-11, so his sister, his brother-in-law, and I are his main supporters back here at home. We have already shipped off a care package and are getting ready to send another one this weekend.

One thing that we sent the last time that was a huge hit was Root Beer Barrels. They were extremely popular with the troops, the local kids loved them, and you can pick up a 2-pound bag for just a couple of bucks at Wally World.

[SFC Chromey]

mmmmmmm root beer!

Yeah, I loved those when I was over there too! Those things can keep you awake for a long time, and they taste great. Thanks for supporting the troops, especially when their own parents won't!

[MEG33]

That monumental day is when America’s First Team cased its colors Sept. 28 during a ceremony on Cooper Field symbolizing the division’s official departure from central Texas in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom 06-08. “The division colors will not be unfurled until they fly in Baghdad,” he said.
First Team Cases Colors For Iraq

Godspeed 1st Cavalry Division
Thank You 4thID

*Thank You To All Who Serve Our Country*

[Ax]

Thanks, TexKat. I met General Thurman in "The Tunnel" at Quarry Heights, HQS SOUTHCOM during Operation JUST CAUSE in December 1989. Later, while on home leave in Chatham MA, the priest at mass requested prayers for General Thurman. He must have retired somewhere on the Cape.

[Mrs. Darla Ruth Schwerin]

For the second time in some 18 months, the 1st Cavalry Division will assume command of the U.S. military presence in Baghdad, taking over responsibility Wednesday morning from the 4th Infantry Division.

If the 1st Texas Cavalry is anything like Jeb Stuart's 1st Virginia Cavalry of the Civil War, they'll whip 'em into shape...

[Txsleuth]

1st Cav...BUMP

[cookcounty]

"From one Ft. Hood Division the other.

4th ID is in process of moving to Ft. Carson CO (Colorado Springs). Quite a few are already here.

[roaddog727]

Maj. Gen. J.D. Thurman's a good man. I had the honor of working with him during my time at Camp Doha KU from Feb 02 to Sep 03.

His nickname was "The Thurmanator" for good reason.

[boxerblues]

4th ID is in process of moving to Ft. Carson CO (Colorado Springs).

Ft Carson has been taking in a lot of extras's lately. The 2nd ID moved there when they returned ftom Iraq via Korea last year.

[Mrs. Darla Ruth Schwerin]

Maj. Gen. J.D. Thurman's a good man. I had the honor of working with him during my time at Camp Doha KU from Feb 02 to Sep 03.

My husband was saying the other day that the reason for troubles was not only the handiwork of the Iran area troublemakers, but also the top brass in Washington who think they're so smart, when they don't have much of a clue about what's really going on. More than likely they put the skids on what the Generals know is the right way to get the job done. And the loudmouth media didn't help any. Heck, they did the same back during the Revolutionary War. Congress never knows when to quit...