Transfer of Authority

Hello "Red Bull" Band friends and family,

The 34th ID Band is busy preparing for a big day. The Transfer of Authority (TOA) between the 10th Mountain Division and the 34th Infantry Division will occur very soon here at Combat Operation Base Basrah. The "Red Bull" Band will be there in full force. It will be one of the only times during the deployment that all 44 Soldiers of the Band collaborate for a musical mission.

Part of the ceremony is performing the host nation country National Anthem. It is a very good possibility that some Iraqi citizens in attendance at the TOA ceremony will hear their National Anthem by live performers for the first time, or for that matter for the first time ever.

SGT Brenda Bushera has worked with Iraqi interpreters to learn the Iraqi National Anthem, "My Homeland" and will sing both the US and the Iraqi Anthems accompanied by the "Red Bull" Band. This will be a very special time for the leaders of Iraq and the US to collaborate. It is a also a time to reflect on the great things the 10th Mountain Division, under the leadership of Major General Michael Oates accomplished, and what the road ahead is for our Commander MG Rick Nash and the 34th Infantry Division. "Red Bulls" lead the way.