Baghdad –
BAGHDAD, Iraq – The U.S. Army’s 10th Mountain Division assumed authority of Combined Joint Forces Land Component Command – Operation Inherent Resolve from the U.S. Army’s 1st Armored Division during a transfer of authority ceremony at Union III, Iraq, March 19.
The transfer of authority between commanders was symbolized by Maj. Gen. Robert P. White’s casing of the 1st Armored Division’s colors as Maj. Gen. Walter E. Piatt, commander of the 10th Mountain Division and CJFLCC-OIR, uncased his colors at the Coalition’s military headquarters here.
CJFLCC-OIR is the land component of the Coalition force representing 75 nations and international organizations that have joined to enable partnered Iraqi forces to defeat Daesh in Iraq and restore stability and security.
"The Iron Soldiers saw the end of the tough fight to seize the crown jewel of ISIS’ so-called caliphate in Mosul," said coalition commander Lt. Gen. Paul E. Funk II. "Life is beginning to stabilize in liberated areas, but the battle against this barbaric enemy is not over."
The ceremony was widely attended by troops of all Coalition nations stationed in Iraq, as well as Iraqi officials. Funk acknowledged the strength of the partnership and the importance of Iraq’s leadership of the defeat-Daesh fight. "I appreciate your confidence, courage and commitment," Funk said to the Coalition’s Iraqi partners.
Outgoing CJFLCC commander Maj. Gen. Robert P. White, 1st Armored Division commanding general, also acknowledged Iraq’s leadership and sacrifice in the mission to defeat Daesh here. "Thousands of Iraqi martyrs made this possible," he said.
The ceremony marks the end of a nine-month deployment for the Armored Division Soldiers from Fort Bliss, Texas, and marks the beginning of a new journey for the "Mountain Soldiers" from Fort Drum, New York. "We have come to serve this Coalition and the Iraqi Security Forces," Piatt said.
The transfer of authority between 1st Armored Division and 10th Mountain Division is part of a headquarters consolidation within Combined Joint Task Force - Operation Inherent Resolve, representing another step forward in reducing U.S. troop levels in accordance with the request of the Government of Iraq.
CJFLCC’s mission continues to support training, advising and equipping Iraq’s security forces to achieve the lasting defeat of Daesh and help provide security to the people of Iraq. "We are deeply honored to take our place in this Coalition," said Piatt.