Military

Idaho ANG Battalion Takes on Support Operations

Fob Warrior, Iraq -- In a ceremony conducted here on Jan. 21, the Idaho Army National Guard's 145th Support Battalion assumed full responsibility for support operations of the 116th Brigade Combat Team in Iraq.

By fully assuming the operations of the 225th Forward Support Battalion, the 145th SB is the fifth 116th BCT unit to complete the relief-in-place and transfer-of-authority process with its counterpart from the 25th Infantry Division's 2nd BCT in less than a month.

The outdoor ceremony included the casing and uncasing of the colors of the outgoing and incoming unit respectively, as well as commanders' speeches.

"I thank you for honoring the 225th Forward Support Battalion and the 145th Support Battalion during this historic moment," said Lt. Col. Terry Harrell, 145th Support Battalion commander. "I now take the oath . and accept my obligation to assist in setting the conditions for success."

The broad range of missions the 145th SB regularly supports includes logistics, maintenance and medical support. The unit has completed more than seven months of training in preparation for the mission, including more than a month in Iraq working directly with the experienced Soldiers of the 2nd BCT.

"We're here to do our mission and we're prepared for it," said 145th SB Command Sgt. Maj. Charles Whittier. "We've been doing a lot of the missions. This just made it official."

The event was attended by military leaders and Soldiers, including 1st Infantry Division Commander Maj. Gen. John R. S. Batiste. Col. Lloyd Miles, 2nd BCT commander, also addressed the Soldiers of both the incoming and outgoing units.

"Thank you for your service to this nation and this troubled land," Miles said. "You will always be able to say that once upon a time you put it all on the line."

The event marked the third transfer-of-authority ceremony to be conducted since the 116th BCT arrived in Iraq mid-December. The first ceremony occurred on Dec. 27, when Task Force 3-116 took full responsibility for operations formerly conducted by the 2nd BCT's Task Force 1-14th Infantry.

The second ceremony was held on Jan. 13 as a joint ceremony marking the transfer of authority to the 216th Military Intelligence Company, Bravo Company, 250th Signal Battalion, and Headquarters, Headquarters and Service Company, 1-148th Field Artillery Battalion, from their 2nd BCT counterparts.

The entire process of the 116th BCT's assumption of authority from the units of the 25th Infantry Division's 2nd BCT is not expected to be completed until sometime in February, when a special brigade-level TOA ceremony is being planned. (Story by Capt. Monte Hibbert, 116th BCT Public Affairs Office)

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