Task Force Freedom Transfers Authority to Task Force Band of Brothers

TIKRIT, Iraq - Task Force Freedom relinquished command of northwest Iraq in a ceremony Dec. 30 to the Task Force Band of Brothers.

The ceremony was held at Life Support Area Diamondback in Mosul and marked the transfer of authority from TF Freedom, a headquarters built around the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, to TF Band of Brothers, centered around the newly transformed headquarters of the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), from Fort Campbell, Ky.

Northwest and north central Iraq operational areas will consolidate into a single multinational division area of operations under the command of TF Band of Brothers. The task force retains its responsibility for training Iraqi security forces and conducting security operations in the provinces of Diyala, Kirkuk, Salah ad Din, and Sulymaniyah. Its security partners are the Iraqi Army 4th and 5th Divisions, and provincial and local police.

The consolidation will add the provinces of Ninewah and Dahuk to the 101st Airborne Division area of responsibility. Coalition Soldiers will partner with the Iraqi Army 2nd and 3rd Divisions, as well as law enforcement agencies, in these two provinces.

With the change of command responsibilities, TF Band of Brothers includes the 1st and 3rd Brigade Combat Teams from the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), 1st and 3rd Brigade Combat Teams from the 3rd Infantry Division, the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment and the 172nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team.

Source: Multi-National Force-Iraq