Iraqi battalion assumes some of Iron Brigade's area of operations

Photo By Spc. Paul Harris | An Iraqi Soldier from 4th Battalion, 1st Brigade, 4th Division marches down a road near Forward Operating Base O'Ryan during a rehearsal for the Iraqi's in the lead ceremony in which the Iraqi battalion assumed responsibility for a large part of 1-8 Combined Arms Battalion, 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Task Force Band of Brothers area of operation. (U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Paul J. Harris, 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division Public Affairs Office, July 12, 2006)  

DUJAYL, IRAQ

07.17.2006

Courtesy Story

3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division

By Pfc. Paul J. Harris
3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division Public Affairs Office

AL DUJAYL, Iraq (July 13, 2006) -- Iraq's 4th Battalion, 1st Brigade, 4th Division assumed responsibility for a large portion of 1-8 Combined Arms Battalion, 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Task Force Band of Brothers area of operation July 13 in an Iraqi's in the lead ceremony near Forward Operating Base O'Ryan.

"Let this area be proud of the Soldiers of this battalion," said Col. Shaker Ferris Kadub, commander, 4th Battalion, 1st Brigade, 4th Iraqi Division in his opening remarks to the crowd gathered to witness the ceremony. "People will be able to sleep at night because of those brave Soldiers."

The Iraqi battalion has been training with the military transition team from 1-8 CAB for the past nine months to be ready for this day. The MiTT trained the Iraqi Soldiers on how to conduct operations in their area and gather intelligence to fight the insurgent forces.

The area the Iraqi battalion will be taking over includes the town of Al Dujayl, which has gained notoriety in recent months from the Saddam Hussein trial. Most of the witnesses in the trial to testify have come from Al Dujayl.

The Iraqi battalion has a tough job ahead of them, said Lt. Col. Jeffrey Martindale, commander, 1-8 CAB. This unit in particular has gone about gathering their own intelligence during their own operations. It makes it much easier to turn over the area of operations to them. He said this would put the Iraqi face on the security more so than it has in the past.

The four companies of the Iraqi battalion marched in front of the reviewing stand which included Martindale, Lt. Col. James Rice, deputy commander, 3rd HBCT, and Commanding General Abdul Jabar Salah Rabah, commander, 1st Brigade, 4th Iraqi Division. In their spotless white gloves and pressed uniform, each Soldier turned their heads to the right in passing to acknowledge their commander who later spoke about what today means to his Soldiers.

"These days are the new days of Iraq," Abdul Jabar said. "Soldiers, be happy for this day. The people of Al Dujayl are proud of what you did for their protection."

After Abdul Jabar spoke, Rice approached the podium and spoke through a megaphone to address the crowd on behalf of the coalition forces.

"This ceremony marks the 4th Battalion's place of honor in the history of the new Iraq," Rice said. "It is a place the Soldiers and leaders have earned through hard work and dedication to the ideals of your constitution. The battalion represents the strong hand that will help the people defeat the insurgency and it will empower the civil leaders to help them execute the civil programs so necessary for growth and prosperity."

• Date Taken: 07.17.2006
• Date Posted: 07.17.2006 13:33
• Story ID: 7192
• Location: DUJAYL, IQ