Regimental Combat Team 6 assumes responsibility for area of operation
Multi-National Force-Iraq
Thursday, 25 January 2007
Multi-National Corps – Iraq
Public Affairs Office, Camp Victory
APO AE 09342
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RELEASE No. 20070125-07
Jan. 25, 2007
Regimental Combat Team 6 assumes responsibility for area of operation
Multi-National Force – West PAO
CAMP FALLUJAH – Regimental Combat Team 6 successfully conducted a relief-in-place with Regimental Combat Team 5 and assumed responsibility for an area of operations in eastern Al Anbar province Wednesday.
During its deployment, RCT-5 has witnessed the apprehension of Jill Carroll’s captors, the blossoming of the Habbaniyah Police Department, and the expansion of 2nd Brigade, 1st Iraqi Army Division’s battle space.
“I feel very good about what we have been able to contribute to Iraqi Security Forces’ development,” said Col. Larry D. Nicholson, RCT-5 commanding officer.
“The future of the city resides not in the Marines, but in the Iraqi Army and Iraqi Police.”
“This is a historic moment in the history of the 5th and 6th Marines Regiments,” Nicholson said. “Our first battles were fought alongside each other 90 years ago in Belleau Wood and started a unique legacy our regiments share.
The fact that our regiments are serving alongside each other once again in the Long War on Terror is telling of the commitment we hold deeply for our Corps and country.”
The regiments served alongside each other in battles in France during WWI and earned the French Fourragere, a decoration awarded by the French government in lieu of a second Croix de Guerre, which is still worn by Marines in both regiments today.
“These two regiments were born during a time of national crisis and have served our nation in every clime and place since,” Nicholson said. “It’s fitting that during this time when our nation needs us the most, Marines from 5th and 6th Marine Regiments are answering that call.”
RCT-6 officially took responsibility for the area at 8 a.m. local time Jan. 24. However, the RCT-6 staff has been in theater for several weeks learning the ropes from their RCT-5 counterparts while conducting the relief-in-place.
“We look forward to continuing with the successes that our predecessors have achieved,” said Col. Richard L. Simcock, commanding officer, Regimental Combat Team 6. “Regimental Combat Team 5 has done a phenomenal job in the area of operations.
The Marines and Sailors of the 5th Marine Regiment deserve a great deal of credit in being the supporting element for the Iraqi Army and Iraqi Police.”
“We look forward to interacting with and working alongside Iraqi Security Forces in order to continue the Iraqi-led fight against those who oppose a peaceful Iraq,” said Simcock. “We will help those who want help and we will eliminate those who defy the will of the freely-elected Iraqi government.”
The main priorities for RCT-6 over the next year will be assessing, training and
operating with Iraqi Security Forces in the greater Fallujah area.
Units from the Camp Lejeune, N.C.-based RCT will partner with Iraqi Army units at the regimental and battalion levels. In addition, some members of the RCT will work closely with Iraqi Police organizations.
RCT-6 is comprised of units from all four Marine Divisions.
Several units that were assigned to RCT-5 will fall under RCT-6 until their scheduled rotation.
The major units within RCT-6 include the 6th Marine regimental headquarters and three infantry battalions from Camp Lejeune, N.C. Also part of RCT-6, is another infantry battalion from the 24th Marine Regiment in Mich., a reconnaissance battalion from Okinawa, Japan, a tank company, engineer company, amphibious assault company and artillery battery from Camp Lejeune.
While RCT-6 is scheduled to remain deployed to the Al Anbar Province for approximately 12 months, the subordinate units will continue to follow their planned rotation schedule.
RCT-5 will return to Camp Pendleton, Calif., after operating for 12 months in the greater Fallujah area, as well as the cities of Karmah, Ameriyah, Saqlawiyah, Habbaniyah, Ferris, Nasser Wa Salaam and Khalidiyah.
Col. Richard L. Simcock, commanding officer, Regimental Combat Team 6, exchanges a farewell handshake and a gift with the commanding officer of Regimental Combat Team 5, Col. Larry D. Nicholson. RCT-6 relieved RCT-5 in a ceremony at Camp Fallujah Jan. 24.
“We look forward to continuing with the successes that our predecessors have achieved,” said Simcock.
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FOR MORE INFORMATION OR FOR HIGH-RES PHOTOS, CONTACT MULTINATIONAL FORCE – WEST, PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICER BY E-MAIL AT MNFWCEPAOWO@CEMNF-WIRAQ.USMC.MIL
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