Courtesy Photo | The Iraqi Colors fly over Forward Operating Base Omaha in Tikrit, Iraq after a...... read more read more
By Sgt. Matthew Acosta
22nd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment
FORWARD OPERATING BASE OMAHA, Tikrit, Iraq- Coalition and Iraqi soldiers gathered in a mass formation at Forward Operating Base Omaha in during a ceremony, which saw the base handed back to the Iraqis, July 30, 2005.
The FOB was turned over to the 1st Iraqi Army Battalion, 1st Brigade, 4th Division, signifying the increasing role the Iraqis are taking in providing security to their population.
"This is a very historic moment as they continue to transition into controlling this area," said Lt. Col. Todd R. Wood, commander, 2nd Battalion, 7th Infantry, 1st Brigade Combat Team, Task Force Liberty. "This (Iraqi) battalion has come so far in their training in such a short time; it is now conducting daily operations at the company level."
Although Coalition Forces are turning the installation and local operations over to the Iraqis, they will provide support if needed.
"If they (Iraqis) need assistance, the quick reaction force will not be far away and can respond quickly to calls," said Capt. Ramone Osorio, fire support officer, 2nd Bn. 7th Inf.
"However, their (Iraq Army) function will be taking care of the missions and patrols in the desert and in and around Tikrit, enabling us to step back and allowing them to assume the footprint with the Iraqi people," he added.
As the Iraqi soldiers become more proficient in conducting operations there will be more transfers of command posts to the Iraqi Army. The FOB Omaha ceremony was a representation of three bases slated to close down within several days of each other in Tikrit, Osorio said.
"Little by little you'll see the FOB closures and it will put us one step closer to turning entire operations over to the Iraqis," he said.
"It's a leap-frog type of plan," he added, 'turning FOBs over and moving to other remaining FOBs until there are no more to move to and the mission is done here."
The Iraqi soldiers welcomed the transfer of the installation and vowed to uphold the fight of freedom.
"We must inspire the meaning of freedom and democracy and lead the enforcement of peace and stability here in Iraq," said 2nd Lt. Maiaja Mohamed, operations officer, 1st IAB.
"What we saw today was the type of thing that will allow the soldiers see what their hard work is turning into- a physical thing they can be proud of," Osorio said.
| Date Taken: | 08.19.2005 |
| Date Posted: | 08.19.2005 18:50 |
| Story ID: | 2804 |
| Location: | FORWARD OPERATING BASE OMAHA, IQ |
| Web Views: | 447 |
| Downloads: | 34 |
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