DAN'S IRAQ JOURNAL |
Cavalry Division announced in August 2003 that it would deploy to the CENTCOM AOR in early 2004. The division’s 2nd Brigade Combat Team will begin deploying in January, followed by the remainder of the division. Joining the division in this rotation is the 39th Enhanced Separate Infantry Brigade. The deployment is expected to last one year. The transition of authority to the 1st Cavalry Division, based at Fort Hood, Texas, was a long process. Officials from the 1st Cavalry Division visited their counterparts in Baghdad, and 1st Armored Division personnel began sending information to Fort Hood. The cavalry division went through training at Fort Hood, the National Training Center at Fort Irwin, Calif., and the Joint National Training Center at Fort Polk, La., before deploying. By March of 2004, troopers stayed in Camp New York for only a few days, while part of the division waits for its vehicles and equipment to convoy to Baghdad. To stay cool, the Soldiers temporarily living in the camp stay in air- conditioned tents and sleep on cots in huge bay-like areas. The tents also have lighting and electricity. About a quarter-mile away from the sleeping quarters, Soldiers can clean up in the shower trailer with warm-running water. Although there is running water, there are not any sewers and using the facilities includes locking the door to the port-a-john. On 15 April 2004 Task Force Baghdad, made up mostly of the 1st Cavalry Division, assumed responsibility for Baghdad and its environs from the 1st Armored Division. |