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DIYALA, Iraq — With the recent closure of three combat outposts, or COPs in the city of Baqubah, located in Diyala province, Soldiers of the 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division are maneuvering themselves to aid in security for the region while allowing Iraqi security forces to take the next step in self sufficiency.
The recent COP closures include COP Khatoon, which closed on February 9, COP Old Baqubah, which closed on February 19 and COP Tehrir, which closed on April 7. These three closures are part of the strategic repositioning resulting from the security agreement signed between the U.S. and Iraq in November 2008.
The decisions made for the closures of the COPs were a joint effort, taking into account both the strategic goals of coalition forces on both the Battalion and Brigade level, along with the ability and needs of the Iraqi security forces.
The three closed COPs were most recently operated by members of the 1st Battalion, 5th Infantry Regiment. With the troop relocation, Khatoon and Old Baqubah were handed back to their civilian landowners while Tehrir, which was located on government land, is scheduled to be used by the United States Agency for International Development which will serve as a Small Business Development Center.
The current security agreement allows for a drawdown of U.S. forces, while allowing ISF to continue to take the lead in their neighborhoods and conduct themselves independently of coalition forces. It also forces local Iraqis to work solely with their local ISF for security. This significantly aids in the partnership and trust of the locals with the ISF. Although their physical location is changing, coalition forces' commitment to their partnership with the ISF remains strong.
"This shows the people that the Iraqi security forces are in the lead. It allows us to stand in the background and assist only if needed," said Sgt. 1st Class David Hershberger of the 1-5 Inf.
The repositioning also aids in the ability of coalition forces to strategically aid in places where ISF may need additional help.
"We now have more combat power due to the fact that we do not have to provide force protection for these places. We are still located very close to the city which allows us to respond very quickly if need be," said Maj. Douglas Walter, Executive Officer for the 1-5 Inf.
The closure of these three COPs marks a pivotal time in the transition of responsibility for the province, during which the Iraqi security forces will continue to grow their abilities and work with the people of Diyala to secure the region for all.
| Date Taken: | 04.28.2009 |
| Date Posted: | 04.28.2009 07:14 |
| Story ID: | 32952 |
| Location: | DIYALA PROVINCE, IQ |
| Web Views: | 698 |
| Downloads: | 552 |
This work, Combat outpost closures display security progress for Baqubah, by SGT Jeremy Pitcher, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
