FOB Scunion TOA

Courtesy Photo | 3rd Brigade Combat Team commander, Col. Steven Salazar (left), 3rd Infantry Divsion, Task Force Liberty, addressed the soldiers of 3rd Battalion, 2nd Brigade, 5th Iraqi Army Division about Forward Operating Base Scunion and the transfer of authority of the post from the 3rd BCT to the Iraqi soldiers, July 31, 2005. His speech was translated into Arabic for the local media, Iraqi soldiers and the VIP's.  

TIKRIT, IRAQ

08.19.2005

Courtesy Story

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By Sgt. Matthew Acosta and Cpl. Natalie Loucks
22nd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment, and 1st BCT PAO


FORWARD OPERATING BASE DANGER, Baqubah, Iraq -- Cheers rang out in the closing moments of a 31 July ceremony that transferred security responsibility for one fifth of the Diyala province to the Iraqi Army.

Iraqi Soldiers of the 2nd Brigade, 5th Iraqi Army Division hoisted the Iraqi flag over the newly named FOB Khamees, named in honor of an Iraqi Army Major killed in action June 26th. Coalition forces who had previously lived there knew the base as FOB Scunion.

"Today's ceremony is a demonstration of the Iraqi Army's commitment to providing security for their own country; they are well trained and equipped," said Col. Steven Salazar, Commander of the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Task Force Liberty.

Diyala Provincial Governor Ra"ad Hameed Juwad believes the citizens of Iraq are gaining a sense of security.

"The Iraqi Army gives confidence to the people of Iraq," Ra"ad said through a translator.
Delivering the ceremony's keynote speech, Ra"ad emphasized the progress the Iraqi Army has made, and said their progress is only the beginning of what they will achieve in the future.

"This is just one more example of coalition forces turning over control to the Iraqi people," said Salazar.

"It's our responsibility to take care of our land and to protect our people and we will do it," said Col. Saman Asi Talibany, Commander, 2nd BDE, 5th IAD.

The Iraqi soldiers welcomed their new responsibility as they assembled below the newly raised flag.

"Where are the terrorists today?" shouted the soldiers. "Hell for the terrorists today!"

Video of the ceremony that includes interviews with Governor Ra"ad, COL Col. Saman Asi Talibany, and COL Steven Salazar is available through DVIDS.

• Date Taken: 08.19.2005
• Date Posted: 08.19.2005 19:30
• Story ID: 2806
• Location: TIKRIT, IQ