Remarks as delivered by Maj. Gen. John R.S. Batiste to members of the 30th Brigade Combat Team and 278th Regimental Combat Team, Forward Operating Base Caldwell, Iraq, Friday, December 24, 2004.

Fellow General Officers, both American and Iraqi, Commanders and Command Sergeants Major, Soldiers of Task Force Danger, our Iraqi Security Force partners, leaders from Diyala Province cities and tribes, ladies and gentlemen, it is an honor to address you today during this very important Transfer of Authority ceremony. This ceremony marks the formal passing of responsibility from one Coalition brigade to another and represents the continuity of our hard work to set the conditions for freedom and representative government in Iraq. Make no mistake about it--we are committed to the future of Iraq. This ceremony is a tribute to the service and commitment of the Soldiers and family members of two great brigades. Today we farewell the 30th Brigade Combat Team and welcome the 278th Regimental Combat Team. Today, we honor and bid farewell to Old Hickory of North Carolina and welcome the Volunteers of Tennessee.

The 30th Brigade Combat Team, Old Hickory, has a long and storied history. The division was formed in 1917 in preparation for World War I and although the division was new, the units which comprised it were not. Many of the units, including those still serving today, trace their lineage back to the revolutionary war. As a division, the 30th first saw combat in World War I, where it was instrumental in cracking the Hindenburg line. In World War II, the nation again called upon Old Hickory and the 30th fought through Normandy, the battle of Aachen, and served a critical role in holding off the enemy during the Battle of the Bulge. During the war, the German army referred to Old Hickory as “Roosevelt’s SS,” revealing how impressed our opponents were with the exploits of the 30th Division.

Many years have passed since World War II, but the nation continues to rely on the service of Old Hickory. Very telling is the nation’s decision to call on Old Hickory as the first National Guard Brigade to deploy in support of the Global War on Terrorism; it is also the first National Guard combat brigade to mobilize and deploy since World War II. Here in Iraq, Old Hickory has added another chapter to its proud and storied history. Indeed, the 30th Brigade Combat Team has been a big part of Task Force Danger. Speaking for the entire 1st Infantry Division, it has been an honor to serve with these great Soldiers.

Mobilized on 1 October 2003, Old Hickory leaders forged a team of America’s finest citizen Soldiers. The brigade trained at the National Training Center in July 2003 and afterward continued training at Fort Stewart, Fort Bragg, and Fort Drum. The brigade joined the 1st Infantry Division in Germany for a “Warfighter” command post exercise in November 2003 and then deployed to the joint readiness training center at Fort Polk for a mission rehearsal exercise in January 2004. In February 2004, Old Hickory arrived in Kuwait and continued training as the brigade generated its combat power. Convoy live fire exercises, close quarters combat live fire, and reflexive fire training completed the brigade’s preparation for the approach march into North Central to Iraq.

Since 23 March 2003, the 30th Brigade Combat Team has been operating in eastern Diyala, which includes 150 miles of Iraq’s border with Iran. Old Hickory Soldiers have proven themselves to be incredibly competent and agile. The brigade has conducted full spectrum operations in a very complex and dangerous environment. By day, Old Hickory Soldiers built important relationships with the people of eastern Diyala, working hard in partnership with them to change attitudes, resolve difficult issues complicated by ethnic tension, and to improve their quality of life. By night, the same Soldiers conducted decisive intelligence-driven combat operations to kill or capture the enemy.

Let me share with you some of the many extraordinary accomplishments of this outstanding combat brigade. Since March 2004, the Tuskhogs, the Mountaineers, and the Thunderbolts conducted over 19,000 combat patrols; 3,700 joint patrols with the Iraqi National Guard; 110 ambushes; 36 deliberate raids; and 3,200 traffic control points. Old Hickory Soldiers discovered 251 improvised explosive devices and 369 ammunition and weapons caches, denying anti-Iraqi forces access to thousands of munitions and weapons. Operations resulted in a number of insurgents killed and wounded, and the capture of 452 insurgents.

The Axe Handle Soldiers of the 1-113th Field Artillery provided critical force protection in area of operations Hickory as well as on Forward Operating Bases Summerall, MacKenzie, and Wilson. In addition, the Axe Handle Soldiers stood up a world class Iraqi Security Force training facility and provided timely and accurate fires in support of the 30th and 2nd Brigade Combat Teams at Forward Operating Bases Brassfield-Mora, Caldwell, and Cobra. In total, the Axe Handles fired over 1,300 rounds of timely and accurate artillery in support of 307 fire missions.

Another great battalion, the 105th Engineers, the Rhinos, focused on several critical missions, including infrastructure improvement, cache and improvised explosive device reduction, and deliberate route clearance. A and B Companies served in direct support to Task Force 252 and Task Force 120, while C and Headquarters Companies operated in general support to the brigade. The Soldiers of the 105th Engineers were instrumental in improving force protection at all the brigade’s Forward Operating Bases. At KMTB, they improved force protection and living conditions for both Iraqi and Coalition personnel. A myriad of projects, including renovations of the living quarters at KMTB, completion of the Caldwell detention facility, and installation of containerized housing units made a huge difference to Soldiers of the Brigade Combat Team. Arguably, one of the most valuable and dangerous tasks for the Rhinos was eliminating the 369 caches I mentioned.

Old Hickory has also trained and mentored the 206th and 209th Iraqi National Guard Battalions, the Diyala Province Department of Border Enforcement, and the Iraqi police in eastern Diyala. The Axe Handles, who stood up the Diyala Nasser Academy, trained 297 Iraqi National Guard Soldiers, 167 Department of Border Patrol officers, and 76 policemen, improving the competence and confidence of these courageous Iraqis willing to serve their country in these difficult times. Competent Iraqi Security Forces are fundamental to the future of Iraq and the success of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Forging these units into high performing, self-sufficient teams is truly a lasting contribution to the future of Iraq.

Of course, Old Hickory could not have been this successful without the tremendous support of the 230th Support Battalion. The Workhorse Battalion has routinely logged over 80,000 miles per month, processed more than 20,000 material release orders per month, and consistently achieved a production index approaching 100 percent. The battalion issued more then 800,000 meals, 2 million bottles of water, 4 million gallons of bulk water, and 3 million gallons of fuel. The battalion’s medics have treated more than 9,300 patients and maintainers have completed more than 2,000 work orders. The battalion’s supply support activity operations have been first rate.

If all of this wasn’t enough, Old Hickory has worked diligently to help the good people of Iraq by improving their quality of life and infrastructure. In partnership with local Iraqi leaders, Old Hickory executed or planned 526 infrastructure projects valued in excess of 12 million dollars. These projects put the good people of Iraq back to work and improved security facilities, electrical service, water supplies, sewer systems, transportation infrastructure, education services, medical facilities, and government buildings. At the same time, the brigade’s leaders played a critical role in defusing potentially volatile ethnic tensions between Kurds and Arabs and facilitated a promising agreement that is allowing members of the Delow tribe to return to their rightful homes in peace. At all times, the brigade remained impartial in dealing with ethnic complexity in the hard work to achieve an Iraqi national identity.

These amazing achievements did not come without a price. Five Old Hickory Soldiers gave their full measure during this just and honorable cause. To date, 80 Old Hickory Soldiers were wounded in action. We will never forget SPC Richard Carrasquillo from HHC/1-120th Infantry, CPT Christopher Cash from A/1-120th Infantry, SPC Daniel Dessens from A/1-120th Infantry, SGT Deforest Talbert from A/1-150th Armor, and SSG Michael Voss from HHC/1-120th Infantry. On behalf of all the Soldiers of the 1st Infantry Division, Task Force Danger, and the people of our great nation, I want to once more acknowledge their service, their sacrifice, and the example these great Americans set for all of us. These five American Soldiers will forever be on the honor rolls of the 1st Infantry Division and the 30th Brigade Combat Team. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends of all of our comrades who have given their full measure. We take comfort in knowing they are in God’s hands.

It’s now time to make the long journey home to your loved ones, back to the greatest country on earth, America. Old Hickory, we bid farewell to you as American Soldiers, as comrades in arms. You are the finest our nation has to offer. The people of eastern Diyala will always remember you and what you have done for them. You have touched many lives and given the Iraqi people hope and a shot at peace and freedom; they now know that a free and prosperous future is in their grasp. Because of you, the flame of freedom burns brighter in Iraq.

As we bid farewell to this great brigade, we are also fortunate to welcome another. The 278th Armored Cavalry Regiment of Tennessee, now serving as a Regimental Combat Team for the mission in Iraq, also has a storied history. Like the 30th Brigade Combat Team, units from the regiment have ties back to the American Revolution. The 278th Regimental Combat Team and 30th Brigade Combat Team’s histories have crossed before. In 1917 when the 30th Division was formed, units from what we now call the 278th Regimental Combat Team were incorporated into Old Hickory and fought with the 30th Division throughout the war. To the Soldiers of the 278th Regimental Combat Team, I say there will be challenges ahead, but there will also be great rewards. You are well prepared for this mission. Strengthen and build relationships with the Iraqi people. Continue to train and mentor Iraqi National Guard Soldiers, policemen, and border guards. Together, we will give the good people of Iraq alternatives to the insurgency. We will continue to fuel the flame of freedom and democracy. We will set the conditions for successful elections next month. At all times, treat the people of Iraq with dignity and respect. Demonstrate your compassion, but instinctively “crush the poised rattlesnake” when it raises its ugly head. Trust your instincts--I do. I am confident you will succeed and continue to move the ball down this all-important field. Welcome to the 1st Infantry Division and Task Force Danger. It is a tremendous honor to serve with you.

Thank you very much for attending today’s ceremony. May God bless the Soldiers and family members of the 30th Brigade Combat Team, the 278th Regimental Combat Team, Task Force Danger, and the United States Army. On this Christmas Eve 2004, it is an honor to serve with each and every on of you as we complete this most important mission. To the Volunteers of Tennessee, buckle your chinstraps and continue mission. Duty First!