1st Battalion 22nd Infantry 1st BDE Transfers Authority

1st Battalion 22nd Infantry

1st Brigade Transfers Authority

FORWARD OPERATING BASE FALCON, Iraq — Command Sgt. Michael I. Bobb, senior enlisted leader
of the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Multi-National Division – Baghdad, leads the brigade's transfer
of authority ceremony at Forward Operating Base Falcon March 4. The "Raider" Brigade cased its colors completing a 12-month
deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom 07-09 by transferring control of the Rashid district in southern Baghdad
to the 2nd Brigade, 1st Armored Div., out of Baumholder, Germany. The 1st BCT 4th Inf. Div., led by Col. Ted Martin,
is returning home to Fort Hood, Texas.

(U.S. Army photo by Sgt. David Hodge, 1st BCT PAO, 4th Inf. Div., MND-B)

Raiders transfer authority of Rashid to Iron Brigade Soldiers

By Sgt. David Hodge
1st BCT PAO, 4th Inf. Div., MND-B

FORWARD OPERATING BASE FALCON, Iraq — The 1st “Raider” Brigade Combat Team,
4th Infantry Division said farewell to Multi-National Division – Baghdad leaders, Iraqi Security Forces counterparts
and local leaders of the Rashid district during a transfer of authority (TOA) ceremony here March 4.
The Raider Brigade transferred authority for their area of operations to Soldiers of the 2nd “Iron” Brigade
Combat Team, 1st Armored Division during the ceremony.

“Along with local leaders and the ISF we have formed an unbeatable team in Rashid,” said Col. Ted Martin,
commander of the 1st “Raider” BCT during farewell remarks. “I thank you for your friendship, patriotism and support.
“No longer can the enemy use neighborhoods as battlefields,” Martin stated.
“Each day brings new hope for the citizens of Rashid.”

The Iron brigade arrived in Iraq nine months ago to provide over watch to the ISF in the Diyala province,
located south of the Iraqi capital. The ceremony marked the addition of Rashid to their area of operations
for the remainder of their deployment.

Martin, who hails from Jacksonville Beach, Fla., and Command Sgt. Maj. Michael I. Bobb, the Raider Brigade’s
senior enlisted leader, cased the brigade standard, signifying the completion of the unit’s yearlong deployment.
Col. Pat White, commander of 2nd Bde., 1st Armor Div., stationed out of Baumholder, Germany,
commended the accomplishments of Raider BCT Soldiers and ISF during the previous year.
White ensured that his Iron Brigade Soldiers are committed to providing the same partnership and support
to the ISF during their time in southern Baghdad. “Col. Martin, thank you very much, you and your sergeant major
have done a professional job, you have really shown us what needed to happen in Rashid,” White stated.

During the ceremony, Martin extended a personal thanks to the Iron Brigade Command Team for their friendship
and professionalism. “The Soldiers of the Raider Brigade know and acknowledge the sacrifices that your Soldiers
have already made in Iraq, and we wish you all the best in the days ahead,” Martin said.
In the days leading to the 1st BCT’s TOA, each of the Raider Brigade’s four battalions held separate casing ceremonies
to highlight their unit’s accomplishments during the deployment and bring an end to their Soldiers’ yearlong deployment.
The 7th Squadron, 10th Cavalry Regiment; 4th Support Battalion; and 1st Special Troops Battalion
cased their battalion colors; while the 1st Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment, 1st BCT, 4th Inf. Div.
handed its mission to the 1st Battalion, 35th Armored Regiment, 2nd Bde., 1st Armored Div.

FORWARD OPERATING BASE FALCON, Iraq — Iraqi Brig. Gen. Faiswl al-Tallall, commander of the 5th Brigade,
2nd National Police Division, presents Lt. Col. Matthew Elledge, commander of the 1st “Regulars” Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment,
1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Multi-National Division – Baghdad, with an Iraqi Medallion March 4
as a small token of appreciation in honor of their time working together. Col. Ted Martin, commander of the 1st BCT,
4th Inf. Div., MND-B, presided over the transition of authority ceremony for the "Regulars" Battalion of the 22nd Inf. Regt.
The Regulars return home to Fort Hood, Texas, after completing a 12-month deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom 07-09.

(U.S. Army photo by Sgt. David Hodge, 1st BCT PAO, 4th Inf. Div., MND-B)

“Our Soldiers successfully met the challenge to provide the logistics support for the 1st BCT and all other units
that used FOB Falcon – living up to our mission to sustain the Raider Brigade,” stated Lt. Col. Darren Werner,
commander of the 4th Support Bn., 1st BCT, 4th Inf. Div., MND-B,
The 1st BCT originally deployed to Iraq from Fort Hood, Texas in March 2007 under orders for a 15-month deployment,
but thanks to gains in the improving security of the Rashid district and across Baghdad, combined with increasing
ISF capabilities, the 1st BCT Soldiers will return home three months ahead of schedule.
“Our mission in Iraq is complete and we will [soon] be home with our families,” Martin concluded.
“We will never forget those Soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice, and we will never forget the friends
that we made in Iraq.” Upon their return to Texas, 1st BCT Soldiers will relocate to Fort Carson, Colo.,
and reset, refit and begin preparations for their next mission.

FORWARD OPERATING BASE FALCON, Iraq — Command Sgt. Maj. Michael I. Bobb (left) and Col. Ted Martin (right),
commander of the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Multi-National Division – Baghdad,
presents Command Sgt. Maj. Timothy Guden, senior enlisted leader of the 1st “Regulars” Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment,
1st BCT, 4th Inf. Div., with a Bronze Star Medal March 4 for meritorious service in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom 07-09.
The "Regulars" Battalion of the 22nd Inf. Regt. cased its colors at Forward Operating Base Falcon in the Rashid district of southern Baghdad,
during a transfer of authority ceremony with the 1st Bn., 35th Armor Regt., 2nd Brigade, 1st Armored Div., out of Baumholder, Germany.

(U.S. Army photo by Sgt. David Hodge, 1st BCT PAO, 4th Inf. Div., MND-B)

**********************

BACK