Photo By Sgt. Angel Turner | Pfc. James Key, an infantryman assigned to Company A, 2nd Battalion, 7th Cavalry...... read more read more
CONTINGENCY OPERATING SITE MAREZ, Iraq – Soldiers assigned to 2nd Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Advise and Assist Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, transferred Joint Security Station India, located near Mosul, to the 2nd Iraqi Army Division, Aug. 3.
U.S. soldiers operated from JSS India since 2005, but more recently, the compound located within Al Kindi Military Base housed American troops dedicated to training Iraqi soldiers during Operation New Dawn.
American soldiers continue to transfer combined patrol bases, joint security stations and contingency operating sites to their Iraqi counterparts, demonstrating the increased level of security facilitated by Iraqi Security Forces in Mosul.
“This is one more step in showing the continued process of [Iraqi Security Forces] taking over and finalizing the transition from U.S. control and partnership to strictly the Iraqis,” said Capt. Daron Moreno, commander of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Bn., 7th Cav. Regt.
Soldiers of 2nd Bn., also known as “Ghost,” left the compound fully functional with multiple containerized housing units, a dining facility, a gym, several generators, and various offices and sustainment items to support the incoming unit.
“This area gives [the 2nd IA Div.] the flexibility to bring in and house other units,” said Moreno, a Houston native. “Our soldiers also developed various training areas that the IA soldiers will be able to use.”
The approximately 30-acre military compound supported eight combined security areas near Mosul and on the eastern bank of the Tigris River.
Now that U.S. forces transferred JSS India and its outlying support areas, Iraqi soldiers are now responsible for independently maintaining security and defending the local population from threats.
“I’m glad to have an end in sight, and I think this transfer is an important forcing function,” said 1st Sgt. Matthew Lord, senior enlisted soldier assigned to HHC. “We are closing this mission out so we can go home.”
Soldiers from “Ghost” battalion partnered with the ISF during Operation New Dawn to improve the Iraqis’ skills and capabilities as they provided security for people in northern Iraq.
“The Iraqis are stepping up to take charge of the security in this area,” said Lord, a native of Chicago, as he reflected on his units’ nearly completed mission just before leaving JSS India for the last time.
| Date Taken: | 08.04.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 08.04.2011 04:39 |
| Story ID: | 74814 |
| Location: | CONTINGENCY OPERATING SITE MAREZ, IQ |
| Web Views: | 206 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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