BAGHDAD - The 'Iron Knights' of Task Force 1st Battalion, 35th Armor Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, Multi-National Division-Baghdad, assumed authority of West Rashid from the Soldiers of 1st Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment, 1st BCT, 4th Inf. Div., during a transfer of authority ceremony at Forward Operating Base Falcon March 4.
The 1st Bn., 22nd Inf. Regt. deployed to Iraq in February 2008 and made great progress towards rehabilitating the West al-Rashid distric, in the southern portion of Baghdad.
"It is great to have a seasoned unit to assume responsibility of Rashid," said Lt. Col. Matthew Elledge, commander of the 1st Bn., 22nd Inf. Regt. "I am confident the "Iron Knights" will do a fantastic job."
Security conditions continue to improve within the Rashid district and the assumption of authority transfer demonstrates the steady progress of the area and the commitment of MND-B to provide security for the Iraqi people, according to Elledge.
The two units have conducted side-by-side operations over the past week with the 1-22nd Inf. Regt. showing the "Iron Knights" the new area and preparing them to conduct full spectrum operations in the neighborhoods of West Rashid along with their Iraqi Security Force partners.
Soldiers of Task Force 1-35 Armor already assisted the citizens of Mada'in Qada to reestablish them as the "breadbasket" of the Baghdad province and are ready for any challenges they'll meet in the coming months, according to El Paso, Texas native Lt. Col. Rich Morales, commander, TF 1st Bn., 35th Armor Regt.
"Task Force "Regulars", with the help of Gen. Faisal and his Iraqi National Police, have made amazing progress in Rashid," said Morales. "Task Force Knight will not let you down in the coming months."
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