America's North Shore Journal

Romanian Soldiers from the 151st Infantry Battalion “Black Wolves” participate in the transfer-of-authority ceremony with the 341st Inf. Bn. “White Sharks” at Contingency Operating Base Adder, Aug. 21, 2008.

Romanian, Iraqi and U.S. military leaders and several local Iraqi leaders gathered for the Romanian Army’s 341st Infantry Battalion, “White Sharks,” assumption of authority from the 151st Infantry Battalion, “Black Wolves,” at Camp Dracula, Aug. 21, 2008.

“The Black Wolves have set a very high standard, one we will maintain and of course, try to better,” said Lt. Col. Vreme, the incoming commander of the 341st Inf. Bn. “We will be great partners and the relations between us will prove that we are a team that can accomplish any kind of mission.”

The 151st Inf. Bn. completed a six-month deployment in Iraq, which began in February. The “White Sharks” battalion is also scheduled for a six-month rotation.

“You had many great accomplishments over the last six months and made huge positive impacts both for the Iraqi people and toward the success of the Coalition Forces,” said Col. Philip Battaglia, commander of the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division and native of Stoney Point, N.Y.

“Simply put, this is a great day for Romania, a great day for the Iraqi security forces in Southern Iraq and a great day for the Iraqi people.”

Located on Contingency Operating Base Adder near Nasiriyah, the 341st Inf. Bn. will conduct missions in the Dhi Qar province working with the 4th BCT, 1st Cav. Div., often referred to as the Long Knife Brigade. The 341st Inf. Bn. will conduct similar missions to those performed by the 151st Inf. Bn., to include convoy and key infrastructure security.

DVIDS
By Maj. Chad Carroll
4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division