4th Iraqi Army Division assumes security lead

Photo By Capt. Amy Bishop | Lt. Gen. Abdul Aziz, Commander of the 4th Iraqi Army Division (left) and his Division Sergeant Major (right) unveil the Division colors during a ceremony held at Forward Operating Base Dagger Tikrit, Iraq to mark the 4th Iraqi Army Division?s taking the lead on security for the provinces Sulymaniya, Salah Ah Din, and Kirkuk. This assumption of responsibilities marks the fifty percent mark of primary control of Iraq by Iraqi Security Forces.  

TIKRIT, IRAQ

08.08.2006

Courtesy Story

133rd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

101st Airborne Division (AA)
Task Force Band of Brothers

TIKRIT, Iraq -- The 4th Iraqi Army Division assumed the lead for security operations in the Salah Ad Din, Sulaymaniyah and Kirkuk Provinces from Coalition Forces in a ceremony at Forwarding Operating Base Dagger in Tikrit today.

The 4th Iraqi Army Division becomes the fifth Iraqi Army division to assume primary responsibility for military operations in Iraq. Half of the ten IA divisions now have assumed the lead for security operations within Iraq.

The 4th IA Div. is the second division in Task Force Band of Brothers area of operations to make this transition. Its area of responsibility includes the cities of Tikrit, Kirkuk, Bayji and Samarra, as well as the major oil and electrical infrastructure in northern Iraq.

The 5th IA Div. assumed the lead for security operations in Diyala Province in July. Throughout northern Iraq, 33 battalions, nine brigades and two divisions have demonstrated their ability to operate independently and now lead the fight against terrorists and anti-Iraqi forces.

Lt. Gen. Abdul-Aziz Abdel-Rahman Al-Mufti, commander of the 4th Iraqi Army Division, and Maj. Gen. Thomas Turner, commander of Task Force Band of Brothers, presided over the ceremony, which was capped by the unveiling of the 4th IA Div.'s unit colors.

Attending the ceremony were the Iraqi National Security Advisor, Dr. Mouwafak al-Rubaie, the Iraqi Minster of Defense, Gen. Abdul Quder Muhammed, U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Dr. Zalmay Khalilzad, the governors of Salah Ad Din, Sulaymaniyah and Kirkuk provinces, commander of Multi-National Forces-Iraq, Gen. George Casey, and a host of other local leaders

"I think this is a good day for Iraq," said Khalilzad. "The people of Iraq are starting to get organized so they can take on more responsibility for their own country."

"I think what you saw here today was a great statement in progress and unity in Iraq," said Casey. "They (Iraqis) keep taking small steps and getting better and better everyday."

The process of Iraqi units taking the lead for security operations throughout Iraq highlights the success and dedication of the thousands of Iraqi Soldiers who have stepped forward to defend their nation.

• Date Taken: 08.08.2006
• Date Posted: 08.09.2006 08:30
• Story ID: 7422
• Location: TIKRIT, IQ