3rd HBCT Assumes Control in Ceremony at FOB Kalsu

Photos by Sgt. Ben Hutto

An honor guard composed of 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division and 172nd Infantry Brigade Soldiers stood at attention during a transfer of authority ceremony at Forward Operating Base Kalsu, Iraq, Nov. 17. At the ceremony, the 3rd HBCT’s commander, Col. Pete Jones, stressed that his unit will continue to work with Iraqi Security Forces and support the U.S. State Department’s Provincial Reconstruction Teams working in the Sledgehammer Brigade’s area.

An honor guard composed of 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division and 172nd Infantry Brigade Soldiers stand at attention during a transfer of authority ceremony at Forward Operating Base Kalsu, Iraq, Nov. 17. At the ceremony, the 3rd HBCT’s commander, Col. Pete Jones, stressed that his unit will continue to work with Iraqi Security Forces and support the U.S. State Department’s Provincial Reconstruction Teams working in the Sledgehammer Brigade’s area.

Maj. Gen. Fadhil Radad, the Babil Provencial Police Chief (left), and Brig. Gen. Hamil, the district police chief of al Mahawil. salute the colors of Iraq and the United States of America during the 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division and 172nd Infantry Brigade’s transfer of authority ceremony at Forward Operating Base Kalsu, Iraq, Nov. 17. One of the 3rd HBCT’s responsibilities during their current deployment will be to support Iraqi Security Forces in the Babil, Wasit, Karbala, Najif and Diwayniah provinces.

Col. Jeffrey A. Sinclair (left) and Command Sgt. Maj. Steven W. McClaffin case the colors of the 172nd Infantry Brigade during a transfer of authority ceremony at Forward Operating Base Kalsu, Iraq, Nov. 17. The 172nd Brigade, who turned their battle space over to the 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, helped provide security Iraq’s provincial elections in January as part of their deployment.

Col. Pete Jones (left) and Command Sgt. Maj. James Pearson uncase the colors of the 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division during a transfer of authority ceremony at Forward Operating Base Kalsu, Iraq, Nov. 17. The 3rd HBCT, who took over their battle space from the 172nd Infantry Brigade, is deploying in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom for the fourth time.

Brig. Gen. Elicerio, the deputy commander of the 34th Infantry Division (right), thanks Col. Jeffrey A. Sinclair, the commander of the 172nd Infantry Brigade, during the transfer of authority ceremony between Sinclair’s unit and the 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division at Forward Operating Base Kalsu, Iraq, Nov. 17. During their year-long deployment, Sinclair’s brigade was affected by the Status of Forces Security Agreement, which pulled all American forces out of Iraqi cities.

Lt. Col. Robert Ashe, the commander of the 2nd Battalion, 69th Armor Regiment, speaks to Col. Sallum, the commander of 2/31 Iraqi Army Battalion, 8th Division, following the 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division and 172nd Infantry Brigade’s transfer of authority ceremony at Forward Operating Base Kalsu, Iraq, Nov. 17. During their up-coming deployment, 3rd HBCT battalion commanders, like Ashe, will be working with their Iraqi counter-parts to ensure that Iraqi Security Forces are fully trained and able to maintain security in their areas of operation.

Col. Jeffrey A. Sinclair (middle), the commander of the 172nd Infantry Brigade, speaks with Col. Sallum, the commander of the Hilla SWAT unit, following a transfer of authority ceremony between Sinclair’s unit and the 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division at Forward Operating Base Kalsu, Iraq, Nov. 17. During their deployment, the 172nd Brigade helped provide security in the in the Babil, Wasit, Karbala, Najif and Diwayniah provinces during Iraq’s provincial elections in January.

Col. Pete Jones, the commander of the 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, speaks with his Iraqi Security Forces counterparts following a transfer of authority ceremony between his unit and the 172nd Infantry Brigade at Forward Operating Base Kalsu, Iraq, Nov. 17. Jones ate with the Iraqi leaders and stressed his desire to continue the good relationship they have enjoyed with previous American units operating in the area