CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE SPEICHER, Iraq – With college football’s national championship between Alabama and Texas looming, fans serving in Task Force Marne across northern Iraq had a chance to emulate their favorite teams by facing off against one another in flag football games last week.
Longhorn and Crimson Tide enthusiasts from 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division; 2nd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division; 25th Combat Aviation Brigade, 25th Infantry Division; and 130th Engineer Brigade played in their own games, igniting the passions of two schools who have a combined 233 years of football history.
“We have more than 21,000 soldiers, sailors and airmen representing units based in Kansas, Texas, Washington, Hawaii and Georgia. We simply wanted the folks back home and the players of both of these great teams to know even though we are in Iraq, we are thinking of them and this very special game,” said Maj. Gen Tony Cucolo, commander, Task Force Marne. “College football is a part of the U.S.A., and we sure miss being closer to it. These games of ours are a great distraction and help make us feel a part of what’s going on back there.”
Longhorn-supporting teams in the 25th CAB and 2nd HBCT won their games, 19-13 and 19-12 respectively. Meanwhile, Alabama fans from 4th IBCT and 130th Eng. took their games with scores of 75-30 and 28-26.
Though the final game of the season, to be played Thursday, will ultimately crown one team as champions, the game actually brought these units together.
Longhorn and Crimson Tide enthusiasts from 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division; 2nd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division; 25th Combat Aviation Brigade, 25th Infantry Division; and 130th Engineer Brigade played in their own games, igniting the passions of two schools who have a combined 233 years of football history.
“We have more than 21,000 soldiers, sailors and airmen representing units based in Kansas, Texas, Washington, Hawaii and Georgia. We simply wanted the folks back home and the players of both of these great teams to know even though we are in Iraq, we are thinking of them and this very special game,” said Maj. Gen Tony Cucolo, commander, Task Force Marne. “College football is a part of the U.S.A., and we sure miss being closer to it. These games of ours are a great distraction and help make us feel a part of what’s going on back there.”
Longhorn-supporting teams in the 25th CAB and 2nd HBCT won their games, 19-13 and 19-12 respectively. Meanwhile, Alabama fans from 4th IBCT and 130th Eng. took their games with scores of 75-30 and 28-26.
Though the final game of the season, to be played Thursday, will ultimately crown one team as champions, the game actually brought these units together.