Long Knife uncases colors, assume authority in Ninewa Province

By Pfc. Angel Washington, 4th AAB PAO, 1st Cav. Div.October 18, 2010

CONTINGENCY OPERATING SITE MAREZ, Iraq -Col. Brian Winski (left), commander of the 4th Advise and Assist Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, and Command Sgt. Maj. Antoine Overstreet, uncase their colors during a transfer of authority ceremony, Oct. 18. So...
1 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – CONTINGENCY OPERATING SITE MAREZ, Iraq -Col. Brian Winski (left), commander of the 4th Advise and Assist Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, and Command Sgt. Maj. Antoine Overstreet, uncase their colors during a transfer of authority ceremony, Oct. 18. So... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
CONTINGENCY OPERATING SITE MAREZ, Iraq -An Iraqi Soldier (center), a part of the color guard, stands next to the 4th Advise and Assist Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division's, colors after it's uncasing during a transfer of authority ceremony, Oct. 18. The 4...
2 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – CONTINGENCY OPERATING SITE MAREZ, Iraq -An Iraqi Soldier (center), a part of the color guard, stands next to the 4th Advise and Assist Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division's, colors after it's uncasing during a transfer of authority ceremony, Oct. 18. The 4... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
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CONTINGENCY OPERATING SITE MAREZ, Iraq - After being in Iraq for nearly a month, the 4th Advise and Assist Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, officially uncased its colors and took part in a transfer of authority ceremony, Oct. 18.

The ceremony officially recognizes the Long Knife brigade assuming authority for advising, assisting, and training Iraqi counterparts in Ninewa Province and Mosul, in northern Iraq.

Accepting responsibility for the mission from the 2nd Advise and Assist Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, Long Knife Soldiers will now be working directly with their Iraqi counterparts in support of Operation New Dawn.

"It (the transfer of authority or TOA) gives us a chance to thank the Spartan brigade for the hard work done over the last year and a chance for us to show our Iraqi counterparts we're here to continue to assist them with their security training," said Lt Col. Paul Reese, deputy commander, 4th AAB, 1st Cav. Div.

In their role as an AAB, Soldiers of the 4th AAB will conduct combined patrols, assist at checkpoints and train the ISF, who are in the lead for all operations.

"The focus of our effort is to advise, train, and assist Iraqi Security Forces marking what will amount to be the twilight of our efforts over the last seven years," said Col. Brian Winski, commander of the 4th AAB.

Each commander spoke during the ceremony with the commander of the redeploying Spartan brigade, Col. Charles Sexton, welcoming the Long Knife brigade and wishing them luck on their journey to helping Iraq achieve independence..

"I give sincere thanks to the leadership of the Spartan brigade for an outstanding (relief in place )," said Winski. "Congratulations to the Spartan brigade for all of your accomplishments this past year. Your dedication and professionalism sets the example for others to follow; our efforts this year will be worthy of your sacrifices and hard work this past year."

Col. Winski also spoke about what the unit is prepared to do as they settle in to Northern Iraq, giving their Iraqi counterparts all the help they need to be successful at securing Ninewa Province once the mission of the Long Knife brigade has concluded.

"Our Soldiers are masters of their craft, they are disciplined, they are physically and mentally tough, and they clearly understand their mission," Winski said. "This is an historic opportunity to finish what we've started and we will succeed."