27th Field Artillery Takes Over Command at Combat Outpost Salie

Lieutenant Colonel Mike Mammay, 4th Battalion, 27th Field Artillery commander, presents Lt. Col. Mark Sullivan, 1st Battalion, 10th Field Artillery commander with a plaque for his unit's support during their transition period. The plaque was presented during the transfer of authority ceremony at Combat Outpost Salie May 13. (U.S. Army photo/Spc. Justin Snyder)

27th Field Artillery Takes Over Command at Combat Outpost Salie

By Spc. Justin Snyder
2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division Public Affairs Officer

FORWARD OPERATING BASE HAMMER, Iraq – Soldiers held a ceremony May 13, transferring authority in the Narhwan area of Iraq, from the 1st Battalion, 10th Field Artillery, to the 4th Battalion, 27th Field Artillery, at Combat Outpost Salie.

The ceremony began with the playing of both the United States and Iraqi national anthems. Following the anthems, Col. Wayne W. Grigsby Jr., commander of the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, addressed the crowd, which included 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division Soldiers, 3rd BCT Soldiers and local Iraqi leaders and citizens.

Grigsby, a native of Prince George’s County, Md., began by welcoming the distinguished guests. He thanked the local Iraqi people for coming to the ceremony and for their support of the 1-10th FA over the course of its deployment. He congratulated residents for improvements they have made in the Narhwan area and reassured them good things would not stop once the 1-10th FA left.

“We believe these improvements are only the beginning,” Grisby said. “The Sons of Iraq and the Iron Brigade are here to assist you in taking this to the next level.”

Grigsby then turned the microphone over to Lt. Col. Mark Sullivan, 1-10th FA commander. Sullivan congratulated the people of Narhwan for taking control of their city and told them this was their accomplishment and not his. He asked for them to work alongside the 4-27th FA as they take command.

“Together we created a situation where hope and progress has been restored,” said Sullivan, a native of Huntsville, Ala. “As Lieutenant Colonel Mammay and his Soldiers take over our duties, I ask for your continued cooperation in maintaining a secure environment where progress can continue.”

Following his speech, Sullivan cased the 1-10th FA colors and turned things over to Lt. Col. Mike Mammay, 4-27th FA commander. Before addressing the crowd, Mammay, a native of Merrimack, N.H., uncased the 4-27th FA colors, making the transfer of authority official.

“I don’t see this transition as a change, but as a contribution,” Mammay said to the crowd. “They have built the foundation that we will continue to build on.”

Mammay concluded his speech by presenting Sullivan with a plaque and thanking him and his Soldiers for their support during the transition period.

The ceremony concluded with the playing of the 3rd Infantry Division Song, the 1st Armored Division Song, and the Army Song.

The 1-10th FA falls under the command of 2nd BCT, 1st Armd. Div., from Baumholder, Germany, which is replacing the 3rd BCT, 3rd Inf. Div., in the Mada’in Qada in southeastern Baghdad Province.