TF Legion assumes command from TF Snake in Iraq

Written by Capt. Andi Hahn, 149th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, Public Affairs Officer, USD-C Monday, September 05, 2011

BAGHDAD, Iraq — The Kentucky National Guard’s 149th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade assumed responsibility of Garrison Command at Victory Base Complex from the Idaho National Guard’s 116th Cavalry Brigade Combat Team during a Transfer of Authority ceremony at Camp Victory Aug. 30 in Baghdad, Iraq.

The TOA between the 116th’s “Task Force Snake” and the 149th’s “Task Force Legion” symbolized the completion of one unit’s mission, and the start of another.

“This was a very important ceremony as it officially and publically signaled the transfer of extremely critical areas and responsibilities,” said Maj. Gen. Bernard Champoux, 25th Infantry Division commander. “The 116th’s plane is waiting, and the 149th will carry on the mission until they are tapped on the shoulder and told to go home,” he said.

The 116th, TF Snake, mobilized in support of Operation New Dawn in September 2010 and conducted force protection operations around VBC and provided elements in support of joint counterintelligence operations around the theatre of Iraq.

The 149th, TF Legion, arrived in Iraq at the beginning of August and began their relief in place with the CBCT for several weeks before the official transfer of authority. The Kentucky Guardsmen spent several days shadowing the Idaho Soldiers in the ‘right seat’ to learn their mission while in Iraq. They then took over the ‘driver’s seat’ while the 116th Soldiers shadowed them and answered any questions or concerns they may have. Once both units were comfortable with the mission at hand, the transfer of authority took place.

“It feels good to hand it over. It’s time to go home,” said Col. Guy Thomas, 116th CBCT Commander. “It’s been a good year for the Soldiers and the brigade. We accomplished a lot while we were here, closing down three camps on VBC,” he said. “We are hoping we set the 149th up for success so that they are able to continue turning victory base complex over to the government of Iraq.”

Col. Scott Campbell, 149th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade commander said this is a huge responsibility with a real mission and a real enemy.

“We did multiple annual trainings, two months at mob station, specialty training, leadership training, the list goes on and on,” Campbell said. “All of that was just to get us here. This is the start point. This is game time.”

“Task Force Snake has been the best brothers one could have. They adopted us over a year ago, took us under their wing, and as they discovered and learned, so did we. We couldn’t get this far without the hard work and dedication of TF Snake,” he said.

Campbell said this is a historic mission and will be one for the history books.

“When they write the history of this war; Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation New Dawn…we all know what the first chapter will be; ‘Shock and Awe’ and mechanized thunder runs into Baghdad. We could write that now,” he said. “We are in the process of writing the last chapter. History will long forget how we arrived but they will never forget how we leave. Task Force Legion will leave with dignity, honor and mission accomplishment.”

 

(c) USF-I