HEIDELBERG, Germany - Lt. Gen. James D. Thurman formally assumed command of V Corps and welcomed the corps headquarters and other corps units home from deployment to Iraq during a ceremony at Campbell Barracks here Feb. 6.
Thurman comes to V Corps from Fort Hood, Texas, where he commanded the Army's 4th Infantry Division (Mechanized) from June 2004 until December 2006. He was also the commander of Multi-National Division Baghdad from January 2006 to November 2006.
Thurman is also no stranger to assignments in Europe, and in his remarks at the ceremony, he said he is excited about returning to Germany and working with V Corps, U.S. Army Europe, and America's NATO allies.
But the majority of Thurman's comments heaped praise upon the corps' Soldiers.
"The contribution of V Corps to our nation's defense during this global war on terror will continue to be crucial. And at the heart of all of this will be our Soldiers," the general said. "I cannot emphasize enough that the key to all corps operations and ultimate battlefield victory is the Soldier - our most valuable and precious resource.
"To all the Soldiers: I know you are bright, tough, well trained and well led. Most of you are veterans of fierce combat, eager to do your duty and make any sacrifice to defend our American nation, our many freedoms, and our American way of life. I am very proud of each and every one of you, and I am truly privileged to lead V Corps at this historic time."
Thurman has assumed control of a corps in transition that will soon consist of its Special Troops Battalion that comprises the corps headquarters; the 1st Armored Division; the 12th Combat Aviation Brigade; the 18th Engineer Brigade; the 69th Air Defense Artillery Brigade; the 130th Engineer Brigade; the 205th Military Intelligence Brigade, and V Corps Artillery. Most of these units were temporarily reassigned to U.S. Army Europe while the majority of the V Corps staff and the corps' major subordinate units were deployed to Iraq during 2006. The 12th CAB is composed of elements of the corps' former 12th Aviation Brigade and other organizations. The 18th Engineer Brigade, the only "non V Corps" unit on the list, will move from USAREUR to the corps in the coming weeks.
Under Thurman, the corps will join USAREUR in facing the challenges of re-forging current military structures to create an operational corps-level joint deployable headquarters. This will be accomplished over the next few years as both V Corps and USAREUR transform to provide combatant commanders with rapidly deployable, lethal, expeditionary ground forces, hardened by tough joint and combined training, ready to undertake any mission, anywhere and achieve victory.
"Today, as we return from our most recent deployment, it may be easy to imagine that we are safe and that we are at peace. Unfortunately, nothing could be further from the truth," Thurman said. "We are, in fact, in the middle of a long conflict - a worldwide campaign that has already outlasted many conventional wars in which our nations have been involved.
"As this conflict continues to challenge our democratic, freedom-loving nations, the 'Victory Corps' and the U.S. Army must continue to evolve to meet the dangers of today and future threats. I know for a fact that those future threats can't live up to this corps' innovative and fearless Soldiers and their leaders. I have been on the battlefield with our young Soldiers and their leaders, and I tell you it is absolutely awesome and inspiring. The Soldiers here today are well trained, competent, and committed to the success of our mission. They are led by adaptive leaders who will continue to transform them into warriors."
The general also made a point of reminding the hundreds of dignitaries, Soldiers and others assembled at the ceremony that many Americans and their coalition partners have paid a high price in their service to the war on terror.
"Today it is essential for us to recognize our comrades who have made the ultimate sacrifice or have been wounded in action defending the United States of America and the democratic freedoms that we enjoy throughout the world," he said. "Our fallen Soldiers and the gold-star families will remain in our thoughts and prayers."
The ceremony also marked the official welcome home for three V Corps units - the corps Special Troops Battalion; V Corps Artillery, and the 76th Army Band - after their second yearlong deployments to Southwest Asia. Under the banner of Task Force Victory, the STB and VCA provided the primary staff for Multi-National Corps - Iraq, under the command of Lt. Gen. Peter W. Chiarelli, and supported the 2,400-member MNCI and Multi-National Force - Iraq headquarters in Baghdad. The "warrior-musicians" of the 76th played more than 300 performances that brought music and a morale boost to more than 50,000 servicemembers from all nations in the 29-nation OIF coalition across Iraq, as well as in Kuwait and Qatar.
A number of other units which have been historically part of V Corps - including several of those soon to return to the corps - were also deployed to Iraq in 2006, and represented at the ceremony. Those units included two brigade combat teams from the 1st Armored Division; a brigade from the 1st Infantry Division (under 1st Armored Division command and control); the 130th Engineer Brigade; the 22nd Signal Brigade; the 205th Military Intelligence Brigade, and the 30th Medical Brigade. Two of those units -- the 1st Brigade, 1st Armored Division and 2nd Brigade, 1st Infantry Division - are currently nearing the end of their missions in Iraq.
"These Soldiers responded to the nation's call to contain terrorism; secure a better future for the people of Iraq, and to set the stage to enable democratic processes in a country that was ruled by 30 years of oppressors," Thurman told attendees at the ceremony.
"The Soldiers and units organized to V Corps, while it was designated as Multi-National Corps - Iraq, persevered in some of the toughest conditions of combat and counter-insurgency operations, not seen by American Soldiers for over 30 years. While there's still much to be done in Iraq, so that country can secure itself, the Soldiers organized to this corps in Iraq truly made a positive difference in containing terrorism on the battlefields of Iraq, preventing the widespread outbreak of sectarian violence, and providing a better way of life for the ordinary Iraqi citizens."
Gen. David McKiernan, USAREUR commanding general, welcomed the new commander and reiterated Thurman's praise for the performance of V Corps units during their deployments in Iraq.
"A year is a long time in combat," McKiernan said. "Some of our units are there now, extended past the one-year mark, and are increasing troop levels as we stand here today; in some cases returning Soldiers to the war in less than one year. Some don't return. Many suffer life-changing wounds, and all are somehow changed through their war experiences.
"This is, and will continue to be, a long, tough fight, and the sacrifices that our troopers make - and equally hard, the sacrifices their families make -- can never be adequately compensated for. The V Corps headquarters has been a critical part of that sacrifice and that service to the nation."
For its exemplary performance in a hostile environment, the corps Special Troops Battalion was awarded a Joint Meritorious Unit Award. The JMUA recognizes that under the stewardship of the V Corps staff, MNCI conducted more than 16,000 coalition and combined operations against insurgent and anti-Iraqi forces, and established more than 140 military transition teams that partnered with Iraqi army units to develop their full capabilities and allow them to take the lead in the fight to establish a peaceful and secure country.
"Victory in Iraq will take time - no matter how victory is defined - and the efforts of this corps headquarters have significantly contributed to that end," McKiernan said. "There is a cost associated with that contribution, borne by Soldiers, shared by rear detachments and families, and today we proudly recognize this great headquarters and salute their remarkable service."
Lt. Gen Ricardo Sanchez, V Corps' previous commander, relinquished that command in a ceremony here September 6 and subsequently retired from the Army. Maj. Gen. Fred D. Robinson Jr., commander of 1st Armored Division, served as the acting commander of V Corps in the interim between Sanchez's departure and Thurman's acceptance of command.
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