CAMP FALLUJAH, Iraq
Regimental Combat Team 5 successfully conducted a relief-in-place with Regimental Combat Team 8 and assumed responsibility for an area of operations in eastern Al Anbar Province today. “I like to think we are leaving this [area of operations] in a better place today than when RCT-8 arrived last year,” said Col David H. Berger, commanding officer, Regimental Combat Team 8. “I wish the best of luck to the incoming RCT and mission accomplishment in all of their endeavors.” Regimental Combat Team 5 officially took responsibility for the area today at 8 a.m. local time. However, the RCT-5 staff has been in theater for several weeks learning the ropes from their RCT-8 counterparts while conducting the relief in place. “We look forward to building on the tremendous successes which RCT-8 experienced with the Iraqi Security Forces,” said Col. Larry D. Nicholson, commanding officer, Regimental Combat Team 5. “We will continue to serve as a windbreak for the emerging ISF and Iraqi government as they continue to sink their roots, sharpen their capabilities and assume increasingly more responsibility for security.”Regimental Combat Team 5’s main priorities for the next year will be assessing, training and operating with Iraqi Security Forces in the greater Fallujah area. Units from the Camp Pendleton, Calif.-based RCT will partner with Iraqi Army units at the regimental and battalion level. In addition, some members of the RCT will work closely with Iraqi police organizations.Regimental Combat Team 5 is comprised of units from across the Marine Corps, to include units from the 1st, 2nd and 4th Marine Divisions.The major units within RCT 5:- Headquarters Company, 5th Marine Regiment (Camp Pendleton, Calif.)- 1st Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment (Camp Pendleton, Calif.)- 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment (Camp Pendleton, Calif.)- 2nd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment (Camp Lejeune, NC.)- 1st Reconnaissance Battalion (Camp Pendleton, Calif.)- Company D, 2nd Tank Battalion (Camp Lejeune, NC)- Company A, 2nd Assault Amphibian Battalion (Camp Lejeune, NC)- Company C, 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion (Camp Lejeune, NC)- Battery B, 1st Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment (Camp Pendleton, Calif.)While Regimental Combat Team 5 is scheduled to remain deployed to the Al Anbar Province for approximately 12 moths, the subordinate units within RCT 5 will continue to follow their planned rotation schedule. The 5th Marine Regiment was activated on June 8, 1917 in Philadelphia, Pa. The regimental headquarters last deployed to lead Regimental Combat Team 5 in support of the combat operations phase of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003, when RCT-5 served as the main effort for the 1st Marine Division during their advance towards Baghdad.Regimental Combat Team 8 will return to Camp Lejeune, NC after operating for 12 months in the greater Fallujah area, which includes the cities of Karmah, Amiriyah and Saqlawiyah. For additional information, contact Camp Pendleton 1st Marine Division Public Affairs Offficer (rear), 2nd Lt. Joseph King.