The squadron, under the command of Lt. Col. Bill Walski and Command Sgt. Maj. Jack Iglesias will assume the task of securing Iraq’s southeastern border.
The TOA process included transferring property, familiarizing themselves with the area and conducting key leader engagements with prominent local Iraqis. The squadron recognizes FOB Hunter as their home for the next year and as such the Soldiers have made strides to improve the living standards.
“This is a new experience for me, but our Soldiers have done a lot of work taking over and making the FOB our own,” said Spc. Jessica Bouffard, Delta Troop chemical operations specialist, from Herdon, Va. Under the new command, further improvements are scheduled in order to increase Soldiers’ morale and welfare to include the construction of a new dining facility, replacement of aging air conditioning systems and the establishment of reliable personal wireless internet. Despite the excitement of their imminent return home to Fort Hood, the outgoing Soldiers made every effort to facilitate the reception of 2nd Sqdn., 13th Cav. Regt. “Sabers” to FOB Hunter.
“(1st Sqdn., 9th Cav. Regt.) handed off as much information as they could. They even offered stuff a Soldier would need, like televisions, blankets and movies,” remarked Spc. Vincent Thompson, Headquarters and Headquarters Troop intelligence analyst, from Chicago.
The completion of this transfer sets the foundation for a year-long Saber deployment to continue efforts in advising and supporting the Iraqi Security Forces and the Government of Iraq.
To oversee the final stages of the authority transfer, FOB Hunter welcomed Brig. Gen. David Elicerio, assistant division commander of operations, 34th Infantry Division, along with the Highlander and Long Knife command groups. Their trip centered on ensuring the Squadron was adequately prepared to assume operational control of the area.
“This past week was encouraging, we got to see what’s worked for them, and what didn’t. We learned so much from them,” said Capt. (Ch.) Mark Worrell from Los Gatos, Calif.
A flag changing ceremony symbolically marked the beginning of Task Force Saber’s responsibility for the area.
Throughout the Sabers’ deployment, Soldiers’ family members and friends will have the ability to visualize daily events through the Squadron Facebook page entitled, “2nd Squadron, 13th Cavalry Regiment.”
