Commander's Update, January 16, 2009
1st Battalion, 12th United States Cavalry Regiment
Michael Fadden, LTC Commanding Officer
 

Hello from Iraq to all Charger Families and Friends!

It is finally official, on 16 January 2009 we transferred authority of now our portion of Iraq with the 1st Squadron, 3rd ACR. After several weeks in Kuwait receiving our equipment and completing mandatory training, the battalion started moving up north just after the New Year's.

During the past two weeks, we have been busy occupying our new homes, meeting our Iraqi partners (army, police, and others), and learning our area of operations. It was by all accounts a very smooth relief in place with the outgoing unit and they did all the right things to receive us and set us up for success.

Currently, three of the companies (B, C, and D) are living at combat outposts throughout the area as is A Co who is currently attached to 2-82 FA and occupies ground on the north side of Mosul.

Our area encompasses the southern third of Ninewa province - very vast and open desert except for the area immediately around the Tigris River that cuts are sector in half. Our first large event that we are facing is the provincial elections that will occur at the end of the month and we will be supporting the Iraqi's to allow a fair and credible election to occur.

We will send out the first edition of the deployed Charger Courier newsletter near the beginning of February to include more stories from the companies and updates from the frontlines. However, before signing off - I just want to dispel any current rumors - we are still in Iraq with no plans to go to Afghanistan and we are still on 12-month deployment orders - nothing has changed.

Until next time, rest assured your Soldiers are making a difference everyday in Iraq and we will accomplish every mission given!

Always Ready!

LTC Michael Fadden
Commanding
1/12^th Cavalry