FOB Caldwell becomes Kirkush Military Training Base

Photo By Sgt. Adrian Muehe | As the Iraqi flag is being raised, Pfc. Scott Brown, of Ririe, Idaho, and a of Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 1st Squadron, 14th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, holds the U.S. Flag that was previously flown over Forward Operating Base Caldwell. Showing respect by saluting the Flag is Spc. Ramon Ballesteros, of Rialto, Calif., and HHT, 1/14 Cav.  

DIYALA PROVINCE, IRAQ

04.02.2010

Story by Pfc. Adrian Muehe 

1-2 SBCT, 7th Infantry Division

DIYALA, Iraq — As part of the Responsible Drawdown, U.S. Forces signed over command of Forward Operating Base Caldwell to the Iraqi Forces and renamed it Kirkush Military Training Base on April 2.

Responsible for this turnover was 1st Squadron, 14th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division. FOB Caldwell is the first base handed over by 3 SBCT, 2nd ID.

"This is a monumental moment where we're executing our reduction of forces and helping ourselves get one step closer to having U.S. Forces out of Iraq," said Lt. Col. Joseph Davidson, commander of 1/14 Cav.

Soldiers from 1/14 Cav. that have called FOB Caldwell home have been preparing the base for the handover over the past few months. After a majority of the personnel had left the base, those remaining had to cook their own meals and wash their own clothes. They stayed behind to ensure the facilities would be in pristine condition for the turnover.

"Essentially we've been cleaning stuff up, everything was in pretty good shape when we got here," said 1st Lt. Jake Creecy, of Colorado Springs, Colo., and the assistant supply officer for Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 1/14 Cav. "We're just making sure that everything is functional and clean for [the IA] when they move in."

The IA received the base well, finding the facilities and equipment left for them suitable and ready for use.

"When we came here to receive this camp we found all the buildings, all the equipment, generators, gyms, everything here we can use," said Iraqi Army Maj. Duraid Khaldom, of the Location Command for Iraqi Military Bases. "Any unit from Iraqi forces who come here can find it ready to use for training."

After the ceremony, both U.S. Forces and IA Soldiers gathered for lunch to celebrate this historic occasion.

"Any forces' deployment here has been a historical step. It may not seem like it at the time because it's small steps," said Lt. Col. Davidson. "I get to see not only the fruits of my labor, but of everyone in the Army's as well."

• Date Taken: 04.02.2010
• Date Posted: 04.03.2010 06:34
• Story ID: 47632
• Location: DIYALA PROVINCE, IQ