• Military Menu                       

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Industry
• Operations
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• WMD
• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

Last 'Surge' Brigade redeploys

Multi-National Force-Iraq

Wednesday, 09 July 2008
Multi-National Corps – Iraq
Public Affairs Office, Camp Victory
APO AE 09342

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RELEASE No. 20080709-08
July 9, 2008

Last ‘Surge’ Brigade redeploys
Multi-National Corps – Iraq PAO

BAGHDAD – Soldiers from the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, are redeploying back to Fort Stewart, Ga., this month.

The 2nd BCT deployed in May 2007 as the fifth surge brigade. Its mission was to block accelerants from entering Baghdad, protect the local population, defeat sectarian violence, continue to increase the capacity of the Iraqi Security Forces, foster local governance and economic systems, and to set the conditions for long-term self-reliance.

The 2nd Brigade, as part of Multi-National Division Center, primarily conducted operations southeast of Baghdad, which included population centers in Abu Waitha, Hawr Rajab, Adwaniyah, Madhariyah and Sayafiyah.

“The security environment created by the 2nd BCT operations and our efforts in enabling an increased Iraqi Army role in the area set the conditions for the local citizens to step up and begin to take control of their future,” said Col. Terry Ferrell, 2nd Brigade Commander, during a June 19 Pentagon Press Conference. “Over this past year, we've helped create city councils in each of our population areas. Neighborhood councils now give our communities a direct voice to the government.”

Since May 2007, six agricultural unions were formed and linked to the Ministry of Agriculture. In addition, specific industries such as row crops, poultry, fish and beef farming businesses were reinvigorated by the development of the agriculture unions and their ability to reach out to and work with the local ministries.

“Improved security trends since the inception of the surge helped create an environment where criminals are degraded and the Iraqi people have retaken control of their future, without the fear of intimidation and violence,” said Brig. Gen. Daniel B. Allyn, Chief of Staff, Multi-National Corps – Iraq.

“The surge accomplished many things for which the 2nd Brigade Combat Team and our Coalition Team can be very proud, said Allyn. “The safe and secure environment created through hard work by Iraq’s citizens, Iraqi Security Forces and our Coaltion provides opportunity and a brighter future for Iraq. The Soldiers of the 2nd Brigade Combat Team did a tremendous job and we send them home to their families with the pride and gratitude of the Iraqi citizens and their Coalition teammates for their extraordinary contributions to the long-term security for the people of Iraq.”

-30-

FOR MORE INFORMATION OR FOR HIGH-RES PHOTOS, CONTACT THE MULTINATIONAL CORPS – IRAQ PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICE BY E-MAIL AT: MNCIPAOVICTORYMAINJO@IRAQ.CENTCOM.MIL