Iraqi police take helm at Joint Security Station al Awad

Photo By Kenneth Griffin | Iraqi police from the al Awad area listen to remarks from IP Gen. Amad Ismael during the Joint Security Station al Awad transition to IP control, Feb. 4.  

IRAQ

02.04.2009

Story by Kenneth Griffin 

2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division

By Ken Griffin
2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division

JOINT SECURITY STATION AL AWAD, Iraq - The small ceremony in al Awad, northwest of Baghdad, Feb. 4, was a sign of bigger things to come: a completely autonomous Iraqi police force.

Soldiers from 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, Multi-National Division–Baghdad, transferred Joint Security Station al Awad to the Iraqi police in support of the security agreement implementation.

Although the station is small, with barely more than 100 Iraqi policemen, the transition was a visible milestone in the effort to create a safe, stable Iraq completely controlled by Iraqis.

"This security is felt throughout all Iraq," said Iraqi police Gen. Amad Ismael, commander of the Taji District Headquarters. "We are restoring Iraq's prosperity in spite of criminals who shed Iraqi blood. We are dusting ourselves off and moving on to accomplish the true dreams of Iraqi people."

The station was a dilapidated school, frequently used by insurgents to stage attacks before coalition forces moved in. Although it's now an Iraqi police station, the police will eventually return it to the ministry of education.

Soldiers of the "Warrior" brigade created true, lasting friendships with the people of al Awad, said Col. Todd McCaffrey, "Warrior" brigade commander. Speaking at the transition ceremony, he expressed his confidence in the Iraqi police, and said they would continue to progress and benefit the area.

Soldiers from Company C, 1st Battalion, 14th Infantry Regiment, 2nd SBCT, helped patrol and rebuild the area for the last 14 months. They established strong ties to the community, investing a great deal of time and effort in al Awad.

"This transition has been a long time coming," said Lt. Col. Thomas Boccardi, commander of 1st Bn., 14th Inf. Regt, speaking to a Sons of Iraq leader. "We've been partners with the police here for quite some time, and with a partnership you have shared risk and responsibilities."

Boccardi explained that the natural evolution of such a partnership ultimately results in Iraqis taking control of the security station and more.

"The security agreement is a manifestation of that shared risk and responsibility," he explained. "When you spend that much time working with someone, the transition is truly seamless."

• Date Taken: 02.04.2009
• Date Posted: 02.04.2009 12:03
• Story ID: 29646
• Location: IQ