BY Sgt. Jason Thompson, 4th Inf. Div. PAO
CAMP LIBERTY, Iraq - Under the clear, morning skies of a promising new day in Baghdad, the 4th Infantry Division took the reins of Multi-National Division -- Baghdad from the 1st Cavalry Division during a transfer of authority ceremony here Dec. 19.
The ceremony honored the hard work and sacrifices of the departing 'First Team,' and looked forward to future challenges and successes soon to be earned by the 'Ivy Division.'
Presiding over the ceremony was Lt. Gen. Raymond Odierno, commanding general, Multi-National Corps -- Iraq.
Odierno said that the battle in Iraq changed significantly during the last year and the success could be directly linked to the 1st Cav. Div.'s efforts in and around Baghdad.
"Significant events are often a result of the right people being in the right place at the right time," said Odierno. "In the case of Baghdad in 2006 and 2007, the right people were the magnificent men and women of Multi-National Division - Baghdad and their dedicated Iraqi Security Force partners."
Odierno said all Soldiers of the First Team should be proud of what they accomplished during their tenure in Baghdad. He said the Soldiers had a direct positive impact on the Iraqi people's day-to-day lives, which is apparent by the increased activity in all the Baghdad market places, traffic on the streets, numerous soccer games played in all the local neighborhoods, and the smiles on the children's faces.
"The biggest success was the complete, full partnership they formed with their counterparts in the Iraqi Army, National Police, station police, patrol police and local leaders," continued Odierno. "Because of their shared concern, genuine care and daily engagement, they earned the trust and confidence of Baghdad's people. In turn, it sparked a grassroots movement among the millions of residents and empowered them to feel in control of their own destiny."
The 1st Cav. Div. commander then addressed the audience of Iraqi and Coalition leaders, looking back on a year's worth of successes and sacrifices by his MND-B forces.
"Although the cost has been high, and the toll on the lives on our Soldiers has been great, our cause was just and noble, and we have prevailed," said Maj. Gen. Joseph Fil, Jr., as he somberly addressed the crowd. "We have fought together, side by side, and have won every time. Our Soldiers know it, and the enemy knows it. There is not a place in Baghdad where the enemy feels free or a place to call his home."
Fil then thanked the Iraqi Army soldiers that the success of the First Team came with a partnership between the Iraqi and Coalition Forces.
"We have done this in partnership. Whatever progress we have made, whatever success we have secured, is a testimony to that partnership and the result of our combined strengths."
With the colors of his division cased and ready to accompany him home, Fil's thoughts were focused on the efforts of his Soldiers and on the continued success of the 4th Inf. Div.
"As with always at the end of a challenging tour, we leave with mixed emotions. It is quite reassuring to know that we are handing the battle over to such a capable division, and that's the Steadfast and Loyal 4th Inf. Div. led by the supreme command team of Maj. Gen. Jeff Hammond and Command Sgt. Maj. John Gioia.
"I'm leaving totally confident that you'll be able to quickly build and expand upon the efforts and that the Ironhorse Soldiers are ready for the tests that lie ahead."
With the clear, crisp notes of the 4th Inf. Div. Ironhorse Band accompanying the ceremony, Fil passed on the mantle of MND-B with pride for his Soldiers and optimism for his successors.
Maj. Gen. Jeffery Hammond, commanding general, 4th Inf. Div., uncased his colors and assumed command of the MND-B mission as the division colors changed position in the honor guard procession.
"As we, the 4th Inf. Div., return to Baghdad for our third deployment, we truly feel we have two homes. One in Fort Hood, Texas, and our other is clearly here in Baghdad. We look forward to once again serving with our Iraqi brothers.
With obvious pride in the troops of his new command, Hammond closed by thanking the 1st Cav. Div. for their great efforts in providing a smooth transition with the 4th Inf. Div. and took a moment to recognize all the forces that make up MND-B.
"To Maj. Gen. Fil and the 1st Cav. Div., magnificent job. Your Steadfast and Loyal efforts have improved security across Baghdad, but more important, I see hope for the future. We must build on this and continue progress. We still face determined enemies who threaten peace and security. There is still much work ahead. Our job, alongside our Iraqi counterparts, is to provide stable security and set conditions for improving life in Baghdad.
"This, we will do as a team.
"It is my honor to represent the men and women of Multi-National Division - Baghdad. Steadfast and Loyal."
Showing posts with label 4th ID. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 4th ID. Show all posts
Monday, December 24, 2007
Friday, December 14, 2007
1st Cavalry Passing Baghdad Mission to 4ID
By Master Sgt. Dave Larsen
CAMP LIBERTY, Iraq (Army News Service, Dec. 7, 2007) - After 399 days as Multi-National Division-Baghdad, the 1st Cavalry Division will turn its mission over to the Fort Hood, Texas-based 4th Infantry Division Dec. 19.
"First Team" leaders were hard-pressed to pick one event as the crowning achievement of the deployment, but agreed that Operation Fardh Al-Qanoon ("enforcing the law") in mid-February, and the surge of security forces into Baghdad neighborhoods, improved the security situation in the Iraqi capital.
"We had the advantage of the surge, having two-and-a-half brigades added to our force structure here," said Maj. Gen. Joseph F. Fil Jr., commanding general of MND-B and the 1st Cav. Div. "That has really made a difference. It's allowed us to get out into all parts of the city, to touch places where we really were unable to get to before, and to influence not only the security situation there but also the Iraqi Security Forces."
"Nine Iraqi Army battalions have surged into Baghdad," added Brig. Gen. John F. Campbell, the deputy commanding general for maneuver of MND-B and the 1st Cav. Div. "That's helped quite a bit."
Additional troops, both coalition and Iraqi, meant more interaction with Baghdad neighborhoods and area residents, building trust and alleviating the grip of fear terrorists held on the populace.
"They were intimidated by the people who were living among them," Brig. Gen. Campbell said. "To win this counterinsurgency fight, you've got to have the population on your side and the only way to do that is to live with them. They get more comfortable with Iraqi Security Forces, more comfortable with coalition forces. They know we are going to be there when they need us."
Brig. Gen. Campbell added that volunteers for the concerned local-citizen program have also been very helpful. The movement spread from the west to Baghdad and filled every security district, he said.
"The volunteers are coming out in droves," Brig. Gen. Campbell said. "They're tired of the violence and they want to take control of their own destiny."
Recruiting drives have been held throughout the city, and candidates undergo mental and physical screenings to determine if they can eventually join the Iraqi police. The drives have been so successful that Brig. Gen. Campbell said volunteers outnumber police-training slots.
To secure Baghdad, he said, the Iraqi police must maintain the peace in each neighborhood; he added that while they're not there yet, the security situation is the best he has seen in 17 months.
While improved security improves living conditions and allows businesses to flourish, Brig. Gen. Vincent K. Brooks, the deputy commanding general for support with MND-B and the 1st Cav. Div., said the reverse can also be true: improved living conditions and the support of area residents also increases security.
"What is more important is to be able to use things like the delivery of services to change to environment for the people," said Brig. Gen. Brooks. "And as they begin to realize that someone is doing work on their behalf, it changes the environment and makes it less hospitable for terrorists to be able to hide among them.
"The population, having been protected, recognized that their great problem in the past and for the future would be the continued presence of extremists of any ilk. They've tasted what happens when those elements are pushed aside and that life can go on."
One of the First Team's biggest successes is the revitalization of the Doura Market. In January, only a handful of shops were open for business, but hundreds of vendors now ply their wares in one of Baghdad's busiest business districts.
"I have seen a tremendous change in security there," said Col. Bryan Roberts, commander of the 2nd Brigade Combat Team. "It's a great feeling. We came here to make a difference. Everything is thriving. There are physical, visual signs of progress. Everywhere you go things are open and people are working."
"If you haven't addressed the things that are iconic, things that are recognizable to the population, then even when you have achieved security, there's not a perception of security and the environment doesn't change," Brig. Gen. Brooks said.
He pointed to Al Haifa Street in central Baghdad, where extremists have been pushed out and programs are in place to improve the area, bring in businesses and have residents return to what was a daily battle zone in early 2007.
Another Baghdad icon is the Abu Nuwas Market on the Tigris River. Even before the Saddam Hussein-era, it was a thriving cultural, business and tourist area. It held a grand re-opening Nov. 24, and Iraqis filled the streets to celebrate its rebirth.
"Probably the most significant difference is the city is seeing much reduced violence, significantly improved conditions, not only for security but for the enabling of governance and setting the conditions for the economy to get started, as well," Maj. Gen. Fil said. "There's a sense of hope here now among the people that is paying off."
(Master Sgt. Dave Larsen serves with the1st Cav. Div. Public Affairs Office.)
CAMP LIBERTY, Iraq (Army News Service, Dec. 7, 2007) - After 399 days as Multi-National Division-Baghdad, the 1st Cavalry Division will turn its mission over to the Fort Hood, Texas-based 4th Infantry Division Dec. 19.
"First Team" leaders were hard-pressed to pick one event as the crowning achievement of the deployment, but agreed that Operation Fardh Al-Qanoon ("enforcing the law") in mid-February, and the surge of security forces into Baghdad neighborhoods, improved the security situation in the Iraqi capital.
"We had the advantage of the surge, having two-and-a-half brigades added to our force structure here," said Maj. Gen. Joseph F. Fil Jr., commanding general of MND-B and the 1st Cav. Div. "That has really made a difference. It's allowed us to get out into all parts of the city, to touch places where we really were unable to get to before, and to influence not only the security situation there but also the Iraqi Security Forces."
"Nine Iraqi Army battalions have surged into Baghdad," added Brig. Gen. John F. Campbell, the deputy commanding general for maneuver of MND-B and the 1st Cav. Div. "That's helped quite a bit."
Additional troops, both coalition and Iraqi, meant more interaction with Baghdad neighborhoods and area residents, building trust and alleviating the grip of fear terrorists held on the populace.
"They were intimidated by the people who were living among them," Brig. Gen. Campbell said. "To win this counterinsurgency fight, you've got to have the population on your side and the only way to do that is to live with them. They get more comfortable with Iraqi Security Forces, more comfortable with coalition forces. They know we are going to be there when they need us."
Brig. Gen. Campbell added that volunteers for the concerned local-citizen program have also been very helpful. The movement spread from the west to Baghdad and filled every security district, he said.
"The volunteers are coming out in droves," Brig. Gen. Campbell said. "They're tired of the violence and they want to take control of their own destiny."
Recruiting drives have been held throughout the city, and candidates undergo mental and physical screenings to determine if they can eventually join the Iraqi police. The drives have been so successful that Brig. Gen. Campbell said volunteers outnumber police-training slots.
To secure Baghdad, he said, the Iraqi police must maintain the peace in each neighborhood; he added that while they're not there yet, the security situation is the best he has seen in 17 months.
While improved security improves living conditions and allows businesses to flourish, Brig. Gen. Vincent K. Brooks, the deputy commanding general for support with MND-B and the 1st Cav. Div., said the reverse can also be true: improved living conditions and the support of area residents also increases security.
"What is more important is to be able to use things like the delivery of services to change to environment for the people," said Brig. Gen. Brooks. "And as they begin to realize that someone is doing work on their behalf, it changes the environment and makes it less hospitable for terrorists to be able to hide among them.
"The population, having been protected, recognized that their great problem in the past and for the future would be the continued presence of extremists of any ilk. They've tasted what happens when those elements are pushed aside and that life can go on."
One of the First Team's biggest successes is the revitalization of the Doura Market. In January, only a handful of shops were open for business, but hundreds of vendors now ply their wares in one of Baghdad's busiest business districts.
"I have seen a tremendous change in security there," said Col. Bryan Roberts, commander of the 2nd Brigade Combat Team. "It's a great feeling. We came here to make a difference. Everything is thriving. There are physical, visual signs of progress. Everywhere you go things are open and people are working."
"If you haven't addressed the things that are iconic, things that are recognizable to the population, then even when you have achieved security, there's not a perception of security and the environment doesn't change," Brig. Gen. Brooks said.
He pointed to Al Haifa Street in central Baghdad, where extremists have been pushed out and programs are in place to improve the area, bring in businesses and have residents return to what was a daily battle zone in early 2007.
Another Baghdad icon is the Abu Nuwas Market on the Tigris River. Even before the Saddam Hussein-era, it was a thriving cultural, business and tourist area. It held a grand re-opening Nov. 24, and Iraqis filled the streets to celebrate its rebirth.
"Probably the most significant difference is the city is seeing much reduced violence, significantly improved conditions, not only for security but for the enabling of governance and setting the conditions for the economy to get started, as well," Maj. Gen. Fil said. "There's a sense of hope here now among the people that is paying off."
(Master Sgt. Dave Larsen serves with the1st Cav. Div. Public Affairs Office.)
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