XVIII Airborne Corps Special Troops Battalion hands reins to I Corps troops (Baghdad)
Multi-National Force-Iraq
Wednesday, 01 April 2009
Multi-National Corps – Iraq
Public Affairs Office, Camp Victory
APO AE 09342
www.mnc-i.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RELEASE No. 20090401-V
April 1, 2009
XVIII Airborne Corps Special Troops Battalion hands reins to I Corps troops
Multi-National Corps – Iraq PAO
BAGHDAD – XVIII Airborne Corps Special Troops Battalion Soldiers officially transferred control of the Multi-National Corps – Iraq headquarters support mission to their I Corps counter parts at the Joint Visitors Bureau on Camp Victory April 1, marking the end of a productive and fruitful 15-month tour.
“Everyday for 15 months, I’ve had the honor and privilege of experiencing something very special as a part of Task Force Dragon,” said Lt. Col. William Wanovich, commander of Task Force Dragon. “I’ve watched our finest troopers in action and executing their daily support missions. They are heroes, taking on extra responsibility, authority and accountability to fix problems at their level so that their supervisors didn’t have to look over their shoulders or do their jobs for them.”
During their 15-month mission in Iraq, TF Dragon Soldiers provided extensive support across a wide range of areas to MNC-I and Multi-National Force – Iraq staff.
The task force troops conducted more than 1,900 combat patrols to transport more than 48,000 MNF-I and MNC-I staff between Victory Base Complex and the International Zone, fielded more than 50 Mine Resistant, Ambush Protected vehicles, processed thousands of pounds of mail, installed more than 10,000 phones and computers and managed accountability for 7 billion dollars in government equipment as well as managed more than 8.2 million dollars of contract labor and equipment to support living quarters, building throughout VBC and Al Faw Palace.
This return, Wanovich said, will not be an easy one, despite the vast accomplishments of his Soldiers throughout their deployment.
“I’m relieved and can’t wait to see my family, but it’s hard to end,” Wanovich said. “You put so much of your life into it. You put so much into what’s happened here.”
Wanovich explained that this day represented the culmination of nearly three years of hard work preparing for and executing a huge mission. Wanovich thanked the officers and NCOs on the corps and force staffs for their cooperation, patience and understanding as they worked through tough tasks together.
“What I received mostly was mentorship, coaching and teaching from officers and senior NCOs that I respect as both leaders and friends, said Wanovich. “Thank you for being great teammates and for the positive relationship we’ve forged together.”
Brig. Gen. Daniel Allyn, chief of staff, XVIII ABC, and the ceremony’s guest speaker, reflected on the many successes of the STB Soldiers and thanked them for their wide-spread contributions.
“There isn’t one aspect of our lives that our battalion troopers haven’t affected,” Allyn said. “They return knowing their efforts and achievements here in Iraq have made lasting, positive contributions to the stability of this country, and for the hope and livelihood of its citizens.”
“We appreciate you, we love you and we are damn proud to call ourselves members of your team, Task Force Dragon,” commented Allyn.
Allyn welcomed Task Force Courage and commented on the unit’s readiness to take the reins. “There will be rough currents ahead, to be sure, but the crew is ready, willing, and combat tested,” said Allyn. “Now row well and conquer with courage.”
Lt. Col. Hugh Shoults, commander, Special Troops Battalion, I Corps, inherited the command of Task Force Dragon – now Task Force Courage to reflect the I Corps motto – from Wanovich.
For Shoults, embarking upon such an important mission and filling the shoes of XVIII Airborne Corps’ STB troops has been an honor.
“I’ve known Lieutenant Colonel Wanovich for many years, and there’s nobody else I’d rather be following in such an important mission,” said Shoults, who previously served with Task Force Dragon in 2005. “In a way, it feels like I’m coming home.”
Shoults expressed the confidence he has in his Soldiers to take the reins from XVIII Airborne Corps and succeed similarly in what he deems an extremely tough and vital mission.
“The Soldiers of I Corps are every bit the equal of Soldiers anywhere in the Army and bring to them a very broad base of skills and experiences that will only ensure our success,” Shoults said.
Allyn and Wanovich closed their speeches by paying tribute to the battalion’s hundreds of stateside family members who have longed for the return of their Soldiers, adding that their efforts have been at least equally arduous.
“Families just continue to give. We leave and they take care of everything we left behind,” Wanovich said. “We add more burden to them when we leave, and they take that on. It’s not easy.”
This transfer of authority fell just a few days before the command change from Lt. Gen. Lloyd J. Austin III, commanding general, XVIII Airborne Corps, to Lt. Gen. Charles H. Jacoby, commanding general, I Corps, to complete the handover of the entire MNC-I command element.
Task Force Dragon is composed of roughly 4,100 Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, government and contract personnel to include the general staffs for both MNC-I and MNF-I Headquarters. Task Force Dragon arrived in Iraq in January 2008 and is dispersed over Iraq and Kuwait.
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FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT THE MULTI-NATIONAL CORPS – IRAQ PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICE BY E-MAIL AT: MNCIPAOVICTORYMAINJO@IRAQ.CENTCOM.MIL
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