February 2005Family and Friends of the 3-3rd Brigade Troops Battalion:Greetings from Forward Operating Base Warhorse, Iraq. Earlier this week, all 880+ soldiers of 3-3rd BTB, now Task Force 3-3 “Buffalo”, safely arrived to their bases inside Iraq. Our battalion’s 350-mile ground convoy from Kuwait was conducted professionally and safely, and most importantly, without incident. Our soldiers’ performance over a continuous two-day/two-night movement was magnificent.
Over the past 7 days, we have been task organizing the battalion for the important work ahead. In addition to our own organic units from Fort Benning, our team now includes elements of 1-30 Infantry, 2-69 Armor, 467th Engineers, 411th Civil Affairs, 629th Military Intelligence, 17th Signal, 716th Explosive Ordnance Disposal, and the 350th Psychological Operations. These units form a great team of just under 900 soldiers who are committed to improving security throughout our region, while also building on the recent success of the first-ever elections held in Iraq. It is a historic time to serve in this country. Our predecessors, the 3rd Brigade of the 1st Infantry Division, have been serving in the Baquba / Diyala region for over the past 12 months. Their officers, NCOs, and soldiers have given us outstanding advice and training as we prepare to assume our mission on the same ground they have walked for the past year. We all wish them all good luck and Godspeed for a safe redeployment home, and thank them for their exemplary service across the Diyala Province.
I want to thank each of you again for the strong support you give our soldiers each and every day. Our days here are long, the work is challenging, and conducted under demanding conditions. But, our soldiers always excel to accomplish the mission at hand – much due to the support they receive from you at home.
Please continue to keep these fine men and women in your thoughts and prayers as we continue with this historic work.
Sincerely,
LTC Scott Spellmon Commander, TF 3-3 “Buffalo”
