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Task Force 1 - 26

In February of 2004, 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment, deployed to the Middle East in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom II. Following three weeks of preparation in Kuwait, Task Force 1 - 26 moved to Samarra, Iraq, a city on the East Bank of the historic Tigris River.

October of 2004 found Task Force 1 - 26 spearheading Operation Baton Rouge, which restored control of Samarra to the Iraqi Security Forces. This was one of the most successful brigade operations since the Vietnam Conflict. For their service during this operation, the unit received their second Valorous Unit Award during OIF II. Then in 2005, the unit assisted in the facilitation of the first free election in Iraq.

After redeploying to Schweinfurt, Germany, in early 2006, a member of the unit, Frank Burkhard, began work on a composition to memorialize this deployment. "Task Force 1 - 26" is the result of his work. This print, based on Mr. Burkhard's original composition, is presented as a limited edition of five hundred 21" X 17" (sheet size 24" X 19") high quality giclee prints on archival matte stock. Each print has been inspected, signed, and numbered by the artist. Prints are accompanied by Certificates of Authenticity.

Mr. Burkhard has generously donated all of the royalties he would normally earn from print sales to the Morale and Welfare Fund of his unit.

Operation Iraqi Freedom

...And Hell's Comin' With Me

Inspired by David Bloom's accounts as he traveled with the 3rd Infantry across the desert, ...And Hell's Comin' with Me demonstrates the incredible speed of US and British forces as they race towards Baghdad in a 14 mile wide column. The fierce firepower brought to bear against the tyrant Saddam Hussein destroyed his regime in a swift and decisive blow, and the skill and courage of America's premier tank and crew throughout the theater carries on the honor of their namesake.

The American Bald Eagle in the painting ...And Hell's Comin' with Me symbolizes the might and fury of not only the US Army, but the American will and determination that supports our troops and stand firm against tyranny.

...And Hell's Comin' with Me is carefully reproduced on 80 lb. archival stock, each print is individually inspected by the artist for color consistency and accuracy. Click Here for a detail shot Michael's work. The watermark in the upper left is for copyright purposes only, and doesn't appear on the actual print. Click on the thumbnail image for a larger view, then click your browser's BACK button to return here.

Operation Enduring Freedom: Afghanistan

Task Force Dagger: Special Ops in Afghanistan

This sketch by Frank Allen commemorates the brave special operations troops who operated on the ground in Afghanistan weeks before any sizeable US unit arrived. Poignant reminders of the September 11, 2001 attacks can also be found throughout print. Click on the thumbnail image for a larger view, then click your browser's BACK button to return here. The "Sample Print" text is for copyright protection, and does not appear on the actual print.

Desert Storm

The Lightning of Desert Storm

"Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines of the United States Central Command, this morning at 0300, we launched Operation DESERT STORM, an offensive campaign that will enforce the United Nation's resolutions that Iraq must cease its rape and pillage of its weaker neighbor and withdraw its forces from Kuwait. My confidence in you is total. Our cause is just! Now you must be the thunder and lightning of Desert Storm. May God be with you, your loved ones at home, and our Country."

General H. Norman Schwarztkopf, USA Commander-in-Chief U.S. Central Command, in a message to the command, 16 January 1991.

And so, ten years ago, Operation Desert Storm began. On the morning of 24 February 1991, the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) successfully conducted the largest air assault operation in the history of warfare. Led by Col. Tom Hill's 1st Brigade, 66 Blackhawks and 30 Chinooks lifted off at 0727 Hours to seize Forward Operating Base (FOB) Cobra, a forward base 85 miles inside Iraq as well as numerous other critical objectives deep inside enemy territory. The swift, deep, and critical strikes of the 101st Airborne Division embodied General Schwartzkopf's notion of the "Lightning of Desert Storm."

Iron Fist

The Iron Fist by Rene Borst depicts the M1A1 Abrams Main Battle Tank in action in the burning oil fields of Kuwait in 1991, during Operation Desert Storm. The Abrams, unproven after 10 years (it first entered service in the early 1980's), quickly showed its strengths in battle against its counterpart, the Iraqi's Soviet-made T-72.

Among the many great attributes of the M1 was its thermal sighting system, which allowed the crew to acquire and destroy targets in the darkness of night and in the blackened, smoke-clogged deserts of Kuwait. The Abrams had remarkable success during the conflict, and maintained operational readiness of over 90% of the 1,800+ in theater, with only 9 lost in battle.

Peacekeeping Operations: Bosnia-Herzegovina

Duty First - Keeping the Peace

The 1st Division in Bosnia. The Multinational Division-North (Task Force Eagle) began another chapter in history when it deployed to Bosnia-Herzegovina following the 1995 NATO-imposed cease fire which halted the destructive four-year Balkan conflict. Task Force Eagle (one of the most powerful formations ever fielded for peacekeeping operations) enforced the cease fire, supervised the marking of boundaries with the zone of separation between the former warring factions, and enforced the withdrawal of the combatants and the movement of their heavy weapons to cantonment areas. The 1st Armored Division led this force with elements of the 1st Infantry Division.

The Big Red One then deployed as a covering force to allow the safe return of the 1st Armored Division, and assumed control of its area of responsibility at Eagle Base, Tuzia, on 10 November 1996. Task Force Eagle was now the 1st Infantry Division's responsibility.

Demonstrations in the villages of Celic and Gajevi tested the resolve and ability of the newly arrived 1st Infantry Division units. An armed altercation between the former warring factions on 12 November 1996 threatened the fledgling peace process. Big Red One soldiers skillfully intervened and quickly brought this very tense situation under control.

Upon completion of the covering force missions, the 1st Infantry Division continued ensuring all military aspects of the Dayton Peace Accord were accomplished firmly and fairly. On 20 December 1996, the implementation (IFOR) came to successful conclusion and the 1st Infantry Division continued serving in Bosnia as part of the newly formed Stabilization Force (SFOR). This decision brought to close the mission of Operation Joint Endeavor and established Operation Joint Guard.

Soldiers of the Big Red One, along with multinational allied forces (a Russian Airborne Brigade, a Turkish Brigade, and a NORDPOLE Brigade made up of battalions and companies from Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland, Poland, and the Baltic countries) provided a secure environment for resettlement, ensured compliance by the various military forces, helped to encourage economic growth, and implemented numerous programs designed to support the transition to normalcy for all the people of Bosnia in September of 1997.

On 22 October 1997, the 1st Infantry Division transferred authority of Task Force Eagle back to the 1st Armored Division, which will continue the tradition of excellence until other U.S. Army forces are designated to serve.

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