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V CORPS' 1st armored division bEGINS MOVE TO BAGHDAD

V Corps Public Affairs

Release Date: 5/15/2003

By Spc. Shauna McRoberts 1st Armored Division Public Affairs Office

CAMP PENNSYLVANIA, Kuwait -- The 1st Armored Division's Assault Command Post has rolled out for Baghdad, Iraq.

Led by Lt. Col. Christopher Argo, commander of the division's 141st Signal Battalion and his unit, the convoy included elements of the division's Headquarters and Headquarters Company; the 1st Armored Division Band; the 501st Military Police Company; Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, Artillery Brigade, as well as U.S. Air Force elements.

"I'm ready to go," said Staff Sgt. Brandon Madison, a soldier assigned to the division band.

More than 75 vehicles will make the trip to Baghdad, and it will take them about 15 hours. Once there, more than 200 soldiers in the ACP will work on establishing command and control and setting up communications, paving the way for the rest of the division to travel north.

"It's going to be a while before everything is set up, but I think we're all prepared for it," said Sgt. 1st Class Gary Bartlett, division fire support NCO for Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, Division Artillery.

Though Iraq is still considered a hostile area, few soldiers expressed fear.

"I believe in this mission, and I'll do it to the best of my ability," said Staff Sgt. Dillon Wiggins of 1st Armored Division's Headquarters and Headquarters Company and senior NCO for the division's office of the Secretary of the General Staff.

"I'm curious and excited," said Spc. Dean Smith, a military policeman with the 501st. "I'm ready to do this mission I've been trained to do."

"I feel good about moving north," said Sgt. Carlos Martin, a personnel specialist with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Armored Division. "Our mission there is to protect the innocent."

"We're just excited to do our jobs," said Sgt. Sandrene Anthony, a combat medic assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Armored Division. "We'll complete the mission and get home to our families."