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Iraqi Army Transfer of Authority Ceremony

Courtesy Photo | Iraqi troops of the 1st Battalion, 3rd Brigade, 2nd Iraqi Army Division, pass in...... read more read more

QAYYARAH, IRAQ

01.28.2006

Courtesy Story

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SGT RACHEL BRUNE
101ST SUSTAINMENT BDE

Q-WEST BASE COMPLEX, Iraq " With musical pomp and colorful pageantry, the troops of another Iraqi army battalion assumed responsibility for the safety and security of their country in a ceremony Jan. 28 here.

Commanded by Brig. Gen. Ali, the 1st Battalion, 3rd Brigade, 2nd Iraqi Army Division, will now be the authority for an area of operations stretching from west of the Tigris River to the Mosul-Baghdad highway.

"The terrorists are taking their last breaths, and the end is near," said Ali, through an interpreter, during his remarks. "They are looking for a place to hide, but there is no place for them."

Ali spoke before an audience that included such distinguished guests as Duraid Kashmoula, governor of Nineveh Province, Brig. Gen. Rickey L. Rife, 101st Airborne Division, and Maj. Gen. Jamal, 2nd IAD commander.

The 101st Airborne Division Band played a stirring rendition of the Iraqi national anthem, as all the guests stood. A local leader, Sheik Achmed, recited verses from the Koran, his voice ringing tunefully across the battalion parade ground.

"Today, 1st Battalion is receiving complete authority over its area of operations," said Lt. Col. Ebrahim, battalion executive officer, after reading a short history of the unit.

As an interpreter translated his words, the clouds gathered, then parted to let the sun shine warmly over the assembled troops and guests.

"The battalion has earned this honor through its great performance," said Ebrahim. "[We] have given a number of martyrs to help defend the country and achieve security."

At one end of the parade field, which also serves as the battalion soccer field, a blue-shirted honor guard carried a huge Iraqi flag. When approached for a photo, one rank knelt down, careful not to let the flag drag on the ground, as the other rank rippled it enthusiastically.

On the other end of the parade field two large, colorful signs proclaimed positive messages in flowing Arabic script.

"The twenty-eighth of January is the birthday of the heroes of 1st Battalion," proclaimed one of the signs. "This day will remain a sunny day in history."

After the opening remarks, the band struck up a marching tune as the honor guard led the way for a pass-in-review. Preceded by the giant Iraqi flag, six color bearers carried six smaller Iraqi flags.

Each company passed the review stand, where Jamal, Rife and Ali waited to salute the troops. Wearing colorful sashes and cravats that corresponded with the company colors, the troops marched by in waves of white, yellow, green, purple and red.

The ceremony marked the second transfer of authority in the Tigris River Valley in as many months. On Dec. 27, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Bde., 2nd IAD, assumed control of about 4,000 square kilometers at a ceremony in Makhmūr.

"Congratulations to Brig. Gen. Ali and the sergeant major, your troops looked very good out there today," said Maj. Glenn Gambrell, 4th Battalion, 11th Field Artillery Regiment, executive officer. "You and the people of Iraq should be proud."

Battery A and Headquarters Battery, 4-11th FA, previously owned the battle space Ali's troops will now be responsible for. Gambrell praised the troops" hard work, and said the transfer would not have come about without their dedication to security.

"They have caught many who did not want to see a new and prosperous Iraq," said Gambrell. He later added: "The markets are open, and the people are not afraid to go out on the streets."

In his final remarks, Ali quoted a verse from the Koran, praising God and vowing not to support any criminals.

"This day is a festival for all Iraq " Kurds, Arabs and all the rest of the ethnicities that make up Iraq," said Ali. "We will not forget the American forces whose blood mingled with our own martyrs" to free Iraq. We highly appreciate the sacrifice of the American people."

After the speeches, Gambrell ceremoniously handed a plaque to Ali, symbolizing the transfer of authority. The band played the Iraqi national anthem again, and the guests and troops adjourned to the battalion dining facility for lunch.