Maj. Gen. James Rainey assumes command of 3ID, U.S. National Support Element -- Afghanistan

By Ms. Vanessa Villarreal (3rd ID)August 6, 2015

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1 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – USFOR-A and 3rd Infantry Division members traveled to Bagram Airfield Afghanistan for the 3rd Infantry Division change of command ceremony Aug 1, 2015. During the ceremony, Maj. Gen. Mike Murray relinquished the command of the 3rd Infantry Division a... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
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2 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – USFOR-A and 3rd Infantry Division members traveled to Bagram Airfield Afghanistan for the 3rd Infantry Division change of command ceremony Aug 1, 2015. During the ceremony, Maj. Gen. Mike Murray relinquished the command of the 3rd Infantry Division a... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
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3 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – USFOR-A and 3rd Infantry Division members traveled to Bagram Airfield Afghanistan for the 3rd Infantry Division change of command ceremony Aug 1, 2015. During the ceremony, Maj. Gen. Mike Murray relinquished the command of the 3rd Infantry Division a... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
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4 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – USFOR-A and 3rd Infantry Division members traveled to Bagram Airfield Afghanistan for the 3rd Infantry Division change of command ceremony Aug 1, 2015. During the ceremony, Maj. Gen. Mike Murray relinquished the command of the 3rd Infantry Division a... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
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5 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – USFOR-A and 3rd Infantry Division members traveled to Bagram Airfield Afghanistan for the 3rd Infantry Division change of command ceremony Aug 1, 2015. During the ceremony, Maj. Gen. Mike Murray relinquished the command of the 3rd Infantry Division a... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan (Aug. 1, 2015) -- Maj. Gen. James Rainey assumed command of the U.S. National Support Element -- Afghanistan and duties as the U.S. Forces Afghanistan, Deputy Commanding General - Support from Maj. Gen. Mike Murray during a change of command ceremony today.

Rainey, who previously served as the commandant of the U.S. Army Infantry School, U.S. Army Maneuver Center of Excellence, Fort Benning, Ga., will also assume command of the 3rd Infantry Division, based at Fort Stewart, Fort Benning, and Hunter Army Airfield, Ga. In Afghanistan, he will also serve as the commander, Bagram Airfield, and commander, Joint Task Force 3.

"Today marks an important change in our leadership of one of our Army's most famed divisions," Gen. John Campbell, commander, Resolute Support mission and U.S. Forces -- Afghanistan, said. "And also a very historic division. Division-level changes of command don't normally occur in deployed environments. This is the first ever division-level change of command in Afghanistan. You were the Army's first modular division. You led the charge into Baghdad. And your legacy of service in World Wars I and II is well known, particularly with the 55 Medal of Honor recipients who served in your ranks."

The division boasts a history of valorous service in World War I, World War II, Korea, Operation Desert Storm, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation New Dawn, and Operation Enduring Freedom. This combat record was earned at the high price of more than 50,000 wartime casualties. Fifty-five members of 3ID have been awarded the Medal of Honor, more than any other division.

Murray, at BAF for 9 months, was nominated for promotion to lieutenant general, is awaiting Senate confirmation, and will be reassigned to the Pentagon, Arlington, Va.

"Two years ago tomorrow I took command of 3ID that was still deployed in Kandahar," Murray said. "And there have been a lot of changes. Here in Afghanistan, over the past eight months, we went through a change of mission -- Enduring Freedom to Freedom Sentinel to Resolute Support. I'm proud of the team we have built here at Bagram Airfield and proud of the relationships we have built with the leadership of Parwan Province and the leadership at the National Judicial Center. Most of all, I'm proud of the Soldiers, families and civilians of the 3ID, and the Soldiers, Airmen, Sailors, Marines, DoD civilians, and contractors that are all critical team members of team BAF. I couldn't have asked for a better staff either at Fort Stewart or over here."

In January 2005, during its second tour in Iraq, the division's forces transitioned to counterinsurgency operations, securing the population from violent extremists. These efforts set the conditions for the establishment of a new, democratic, Iraqi government.

The division redeployed to Fort Stewart and Fort Benning in January 2006. By early 2007, the entire division returned to Iraq as part of the "surge." The division headquarters redeployed to the United States in May 2008. In 2009 and 2010, 3ID deployed its headquarters and brigade combat teams to Baghdad, northern Iraq, and Afghanistan. Those deployments marked the fourth time the division deployed to Iraq, making it the first division to hold that distinction.

While in Iraq, the division headquarters served as the core of task force, U.S. Division-North, commanding 10 brigades across four provinces during 13 months in which the Iraqi government held its first national elections, the first peaceful transition of power for the country in over 50 years. The division also oversaw the transition from Operation Iraqi Freedom to Operation New Dawn, which entailed a massive redeployment of Soldiers and equipment while developing new techniques to advise, train, and assist the Iraqi security forces.

"I'm honored today to join the ranks of the legendary 3rd Infantry Division," Rainey said. "It's humbling. The dog-faced soldier's record of service and excellence is unquestioned. From the Marne to Baghdad, Kandahar, and Bagram today. I look forward to working with all of our Afghan partners, NATO, and coalition teammates at this critical point in the mission. Like most of us, I've lost friends, Soldiers, and teammates in this war and I'm deeply committed and passionate about seeing it through a successful completion like we all are. Thank you very much and Rock of the Marne."

"Maj. Gen. Jim Rainey was hand selected to lead this phenomenal division as it continues its mission here in Afghanistan," Campbell said. "Jim, you're ideally suited for this command. Welcome back to Afghanistan. Your time and experience both here and in Iraq will serve you well. You have my total confidence. I know you will lead both 3ID and U.S. Forces - Afghanistan teams well. I wish you and all of the Marne team the very best."

The 3ID continues its distinguished service to our nation, with units from the division currently serving around the world. The Soldiers of 3ID are a part of the 9,800 U.S. contingent, and will remain in Afghanistan until November 2015.

Related Links:

U.S. Forces Afghanistan Facebook

More photos of the Ceremony on Flickr

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