“All the great things are simple, and many can be expressed in a single word: freedom, justice, honor, duty, mercy, hope.” – Winston Churchill
The first time I ever visited COB Speicher was in spring of 2007. The surge was just beginning and Speicher was home to almost 30,000 Soldiers. New units seemed to be arriving daily. New Life Support Areas (LSA), dining facilities, gyms, recreation buildings, and other construction were a constant way of life. At the time of my visit I never could have envisioned the place closing. Yet that’s where it’s come to. All of us here are witnessing the end. Facilities are closing, buildings being vacated, equipment turned in, and units departing for good. One of the units that has earned their “big iron bird” ride home belongs to me. The “Border Bandits” from Brownsville, TX have completed their mission. During the past week, we’ve been honoring them for the job they’ve performed while here. This included an awards ceremony, a “Hail and Farewell”, and the Transfer of Authority (TOA) ceremony. Their mission is now being assumed by our newest transportation company – the “Blue Devils” from Orlando, FL.
We started out with the Hail and Farewell. On a fine Saturday night we
all gathered at the Battalion HQ recreation area. The 4th Infantry Division (Ivy Division) Band provided entertainment. We cooked over 300 steaks on several grills as the band serenaded us. Once everyone had their chow the CSM and I grabbed the mike and shared a few heartfelt comments. Most of our words were in praise of the Border Bandits. They will be missed. However, the Blue Devils are eager and ready. The beauty of the Army is how readily Soldiers will assume practically any task or mission. I have the utmost confidence that we won’t even skip a beat.
Later in the week we
held the awards ceremony for the Border Bandits. It took well over an hour to hand out all of the medals these crazy Soldiers from Texas had earned. They have certainly accomplished a Texas-sized mission. During their time in Iraq, these Soldiers have driven over a million miles over some of the most dangerous roads in the world. Their trucks have hauled almost 100,000 short tons of cargo, which provided continued sustainment to combat operations over a geographic area larger than the State of Georgia. What’s most important is that they accomplished this monumental task without losing a single Soldier to enemy activity or accident. Their awards were well-earned. Over the course of the ceremony we presented multiple Bronze Stars, Meritorious Service Medals, and various other commendation awards.
Finally came the TOA ceremony. It didn’t last nearly as long as the awards ceremony. The Border Bandits cased their colors to signify completion of their mission. The
n the Blue Devils unfurled their colors to represent the assumption of the mission. After both the Company Commanders spoke, I shared a few words. I am certain that the biggest party in Texas will be in Brownsville following the “Welcome Home Ceremony” for the Border Bandits. It is a guarantee that the local supply of premium tequila and beer will be depleted for several weeks afterward. But I cautioned them that their mission isn’t truly complete until every single one of their Soldiers has made it safely home and reported in following the party. That’s when the Company Commander can finally email me to let me know everyone is safe, accounted for, and mission accomplished. Border Bandits – I salute you now and forever. You are always a part of our family and I will serve with you any time, any place. Godspeed.
The Army is a small world. I know the Blue Devils from past experience. In March 2003, I was OIC of a Deployment Support Team at Fort Stewart, GA prior to deploying myself for OIF I. One of the units we assisted with deploying was the Blue Devils. Almost ten years of war, constant circulation around Iraq and other places, and I’d say I’ve come in contact with almost every Army unit that’s ever been to the birthplace of civilization. Welcome back to Iraq Blue Devils!
The first time I ever visited COB Speicher was in spring of 2007. The surge was just beginning and Speicher was home to almost 30,000 Soldiers. New units seemed to be arriving daily. New Life Support Areas (LSA), dining facilities, gyms, recreation buildings, and other construction were a constant way of life. At the time of my visit I never could have envisioned the place closing. Yet that’s where it’s come to. All of us here are witnessing the end. Facilities are closing, buildings being vacated, equipment turned in, and units departing for good. One of the units that has earned their “big iron bird” ride home belongs to me. The “Border Bandits” from Brownsville, TX have completed their mission. During the past week, we’ve been honoring them for the job they’ve performed while here. This included an awards ceremony, a “Hail and Farewell”, and the Transfer of Authority (TOA) ceremony. Their mission is now being assumed by our newest transportation company – the “Blue Devils” from Orlando, FL.We started out with the Hail and Farewell. On a fine Saturday night we
all gathered at the Battalion HQ recreation area. The 4th Infantry Division (Ivy Division) Band provided entertainment. We cooked over 300 steaks on several grills as the band serenaded us. Once everyone had their chow the CSM and I grabbed the mike and shared a few heartfelt comments. Most of our words were in praise of the Border Bandits. They will be missed. However, the Blue Devils are eager and ready. The beauty of the Army is how readily Soldiers will assume practically any task or mission. I have the utmost confidence that we won’t even skip a beat.Later in the week we
held the awards ceremony for the Border Bandits. It took well over an hour to hand out all of the medals these crazy Soldiers from Texas had earned. They have certainly accomplished a Texas-sized mission. During their time in Iraq, these Soldiers have driven over a million miles over some of the most dangerous roads in the world. Their trucks have hauled almost 100,000 short tons of cargo, which provided continued sustainment to combat operations over a geographic area larger than the State of Georgia. What’s most important is that they accomplished this monumental task without losing a single Soldier to enemy activity or accident. Their awards were well-earned. Over the course of the ceremony we presented multiple Bronze Stars, Meritorious Service Medals, and various other commendation awards.Finally came the TOA ceremony. It didn’t last nearly as long as the awards ceremony. The Border Bandits cased their colors to signify completion of their mission. The
n the Blue Devils unfurled their colors to represent the assumption of the mission. After both the Company Commanders spoke, I shared a few words. I am certain that the biggest party in Texas will be in Brownsville following the “Welcome Home Ceremony” for the Border Bandits. It is a guarantee that the local supply of premium tequila and beer will be depleted for several weeks afterward. But I cautioned them that their mission isn’t truly complete until every single one of their Soldiers has made it safely home and reported in following the party. That’s when the Company Commander can finally email me to let me know everyone is safe, accounted for, and mission accomplished. Border Bandits – I salute you now and forever. You are always a part of our family and I will serve with you any time, any place. Godspeed.The Army is a small world. I know the Blue Devils from past experience. In March 2003, I was OIC of a Deployment Support Team at Fort Stewart, GA prior to deploying myself for OIF I. One of the units we assisted with deploying was the Blue Devils. Almost ten years of war, constant circulation around Iraq and other places, and I’d say I’ve come in contact with almost every Army unit that’s ever been to the birthplace of civilization. Welcome back to Iraq Blue Devils!
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