116th takes over operations in Iraq

Fri., Feb. 18, 2005

Associated Press

Washington unit coming home

Some members of the Washington National Guard's 81st Brigade Combat Team who have been in Iraq for nearly a year will be coming home later this month, the Guard announced Thursday.

The members of Task Force Tacoma marked the completion of their mission with a ceremony near Balad, Iraq, on last Sunday, and will be returning to Washington state between next Tuesday and Friday, Guard officials said in press release.

The task force patrolled the area near Balad for nine months, conducting 2,221 combat patrols and 122 raids and searches. They also developed more than 30 civil improvement projects for the area.

In January, they were sent to Mosul to provide security for the Iraqi elections.

The returning troops will be welcomed with ceremonies in Soldier's Field House at Fort Lewis, near Tacoma. Bravo Battery, 2nd Battalion, 146th Field Artillery Regiment, which is based in Spokane and Pullman, will hold its return ceremony at 9 a.m. Tueday.

Troop E, 303rd Cavalry Regiment from Puyallup, and Headquarters Battery, 2nd Battalion, 146th Field Artillery Regiment from Vancouver and Longview will have their return ceremony at the same time. Other units based in Longview, Olympia and Montesano will have ceremonies Thursday and Friday.

BOISE – The Idaho Army National Guard’s 116th Brigade Combat Team has taken over authority for operations in its sector of north-central Iraq, which includes Kirkuk and Sulaymaniyah provinces, unit officials report.

The 116th replaced the 2nd Brigade of the 25th Infantry Division, an active-duty unit from Hawaii, in a transfer-of-authority ceremony Saturday.

“This ceremony … marks the beginning of the 116th combat brigade’s daunting task of continuing the high standards set by the warrior brigade combat team,” said Brig. Gen. Alan Gayhart, 116th commander, in a prepared statement. “We extend to Iraqis … our right hand of friendship. It is an honor and a privilege to be your partner, and we will be here to help you secure a better life for all of the citizens of Iraq.”

Attendees included more than 50 Iraqi dignitaries, religious leaders and U.S. Army and Air Force representatives. Units of the Iraqi Army and Iraqi Police Services stood in formation with soldiers from both the 116th and 2nd brigades.

By fully assuming U.S. Army operations in the two provinces, the 116th is responsible for coalition forces’ efforts to bolster and train Iraqi security forces, sustain Iraqi infrastructure and economic growth, aid the fledgling Iraqi government and continuing open communications with Iraqi citizens, 116th Public Affairs Officer Capt. Monte Hibbert wrote in an e-mail from Iraq.

Since the Jan. 30 Iraq elections, brigade soldiers have used regional talk shows and press conferences to talk to Iraqis about the success of the elections in the two provinces, the status of regional projects and the progress of Iraqi Security Forces development.

Among the media appearances: a “Meet the Press”-style session for Kirkuk politicians, and a live call-in show featuring Gayhart and Iraq security officials. Gayhart also hosted a press conference for 20 Iraqi journalists.

About 1,700 Idaho soldiers serve with the 116th in Iraq.

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