FORWARD OPERATING BASE HUNTER, Iraq - After providing base security just north of Baghdad, then training a new Iraqi Army brigade in southern Iraq, the 'Black Dragons' of the 4thBrigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, were once again on the move.
The 5th Battalion, 82nd Field Artillery Regiment, was recently tasked to assume responsibility of battle space near the operating base here, build a home and move in - all at the same time.
With FOB Hunter nearing its maximum capacity, the Black Dragon Soldiers worked to expand the base to house their unit. Meanwhile, the battalion continued its partnership with its Iraqi artillery counterparts, the 41st Brigade, 10th Iraqi Army Division in protecting the Iraqi people of Maysan.
"This is a great opportunity for our unit to be a part of the brigade's main effort in the Maysan province," said Capt. Travis Hacker, a Black Dragon Soldier from Chattanooga, TN. "It will contribute to our successes as a unit in Iraq."
Starting in June 2008, the unit had Soldiers spread out from northern Baghdad to southern Iraq with missions ranging from counter-fire to maintaining a military presence in a joint-defense-operations center.
"I'm excited about the move to Hunter," said Cpl. Matthew Brendle, an Intelligence Analyst from Montgomery, PA. "It finally feels like we're making a real difference out here."
The Black Dragons are set to complete their deployment in early summer, but for now they're lighting up the Iraqi sky with illumination rounds and ready to make a positive impact in Maysan.
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