Courtesy Photo | An Iraqi Soldier from the 2nd Battalion, 22nd Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division,...... read more read more
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By Sgt. Brian Tierce
2nd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, Public Affairs Office
BAGHDAD – When Joint Security Stations across Baghdad were transitioning to Iraqi control, Soldiers from the 5th Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, Multi-National Division – Baghdad, and the 2nd Battalion, 22nd Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division, did their part by transferring JSS Ghazaliyah III, in the Ghazaliyah district of northwest Baghdad, to Iraqi control Jan. 1.
The process of turning over control of JSS Ghazaliyah III actually began in November.
Troopers from the 5th Sqdn., 4th Cav. Regt., arrived in Iraq to replace the outgoing 1st Squadron, 75th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), and almost immediately began to transition control of the security station to their Iraqi counterparts.
The completion of the transition came as a marked moment for the troopers, who dedicated their time to setting up their Iraqi counterparts for success in Ghazaliyah.
"The Soldiers of Blackfoot Troop were instrumental in completing the transfer on time," said 1st Lt. Patrick Howlett, officer in charge of the November transition. "We will now focus our efforts towards assisting our Iraqi counterparts in order to better prepare the Iraqi army to take full control of Ghazaliyah."
During the ceremony, Lt. Col. John Richardson IV, the commander of the 5th Sqdn. 4th Cav. Regt., alongside his Iraqi army counterpart, Lt. Col. Abdullah, signed formal documents for the transition of authority from coalition forces to the Iraqi army.
Once the documents were signed, the group was called to attention and the Soldiers witnessed the raising of the Iraqi Flag by an Iraqi soldier, with the assistance of Spc. Anthony Perez, Troop B, 5th Sqdn., 4th Cav. Regt.
"This was a monumental occasion for the Iraqi security forces in Baghdad," said Howlett.
Although the security station was transitioned and the Iraqi flag rose, there was at least one Soldier who expressed his sorrow in leaving the JSS, where he has spent the majority of his time in Iraq.
"Being at JSS Ghazaliyah III is like a homecoming," said Sgt. 1st Class Deondre Long, a native of Galveston, Texas.
With the transition complete and the mission of supporting their Iraqi counterparts fresh on their minds, the Soldiers of the 5th Sqdn. 4th Cav. Regt., are ready to take on the challenges of helping secure northwest Baghdad.
"The transition of JSS Ghazaliyah III to full Iraqi control shows the continuing improvement of the state of the Iraqi security forces," added Howlett.
| Date Taken: | 01.03.2009 |
| Date Posted: | 01.03.2009 04:20 |
| Story ID: | 28402 |
| Location: | BAGHDAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 210 |
| Downloads: | 188 |
This work, History made as Iraqi security forces take control of Joint Security Station Ghazaliyah III, by SSG Brian Tierce, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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