First Cavalry Passes On Baghdad Mission

[unhappycamper]

First Cavalry Passes On Baghdad Mission
Army News Service | Master Sgt. Dave Larsen | December 10, 2007

CAMP LIBERTY, Iraq - After 399 days as Multi-National Division-Baghdad, the 1st Cavalry Division will turn its mission over to the Fort Hood, Texas-based 4th Infantry Division Dec. 19.

"First Team" leaders were hard-pressed to pick one event as the crowning achievement of the deployment, but agreed that Operation Fardh Al-Qanoon ("enforcing the law") in mid-February, and the surge of security forces into Baghdad neighborhoods, improved the security situation in the Iraqi capital.

"We had the advantage of the surge, having two-and-a-half brigades added to our force structure here," said Maj. Gen. Joseph F. Fil Jr., commanding general of MND-B and the 1st Cav. Div. "That has really made a difference. It's allowed us to get out into all parts of the city, to touch places where we really were unable to get to before, and to influence not only the security situation there but also the Iraqi Security Forces."

"Nine Iraqi Army battalions have surged into Baghdad," added Brig. Gen. John F. Campbell, the deputy commanding general for maneuver of MND-B and the 1st Cav. Div. "That's helped quite a bit."

Additional troops, both coalition and Iraqi, meant more interaction with Baghdad neighborhoods and area residents, building trust and alleviating the grip of fear terrorists held on the populace.


Rest of article at: http://www.military.com/features/0,15240,157863,00.html

[trumad]

1. LOL

And what happens when they leave?