Tal Afar now in Iraqi Army hands

Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Steven Petibone | Fort Tal Afar. (Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Petibone, 138th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment, 2 September, 2006.)  

TAL AFAR, IRAQ

09.02.2006

Story by Sgt. 1st Class Steven Petibone 

138th Public Affairs Detachment

by Sgt. 1st Class Steven Petibone
138th MPAD

FORT TAL AFAR, NINEWA PROVINCE, Iraq (2 September, 2006) - -Keeping in step with transfer of authority ceremonies and transitioning responsibility to Iraqi Army, the 2nd Battalion, 37th Armor Regiment turned over the last area of responsibility for the city of Tal Afar, Iraq, and surrounding area.

Included in the transition was the departure of the "Iron Dukes" 2nd Bn., 37th Ar. Regt. from Fort Tal Afar, an Ottoman Empire-era fortress, where the "Iron Dukes" and a Military Transition Team trained side-by-side with the 1st Bn., 2nd Brig., 3rd Div. IA.

"With this transfer of authority ceremony, all of the Iraqi military battalions in the Tal Afar have taken the lead in combat operations," said Albany, N.Y. resident Capt. Thomas Breslin, fire support officer, 2nd Bn., 37th Ar. Regt. "Their success to date is a testament of the leadership and training evident in the battalion, as well as their close coordination with the Iraqi Police."

The event was attended by both U.S. and IA high-ranking officers. The attendees included Iraqi Maj. Gen. Khorsheed, commander, 3rd IA Div., Iraqi Brig. Gen. Qais, commander, 2nd Brig, 3rd Div., Lt. Col. Abdul-Hafa, commander, 1st Battalion, 2nd Brig., 3rd Div., Brig. Gen. Sabba, Tal Afar Chief of Police, Mayor Najim, Mayor of Tal Afar, U.S. Army Col. Fred Woerne, 3rd Div. MITT Chief, Lt. Col. Fred Johnson, deputy commander, 2nd Bn., 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team and Lt. Col. John K. Tien, commander, Task Force 2-37.

Both Tien and Khorsheed delivered speeches re-emphasizing the need for continued vigilance and mission readiness.

"I promise to continue to accomplish the mission to fulfill the expectations of the Iraqi people and rid the area totally of terrorists," said Khorsheed. "To build an Iraq for future generations and to pay homage for those who have fallen in the line of duty."

"Today we hand over the security file to the 2nd Bn., 1st Brig., 3rd Div of the Iraqi Army," said Tien. "We will assist them in the future in their task as we have in the past. We stand ready to fulfill the obligation that has been entrusted on us by the Iraqi people."

After opening remarks by Tien and Khorsheed, more than 700 IA Soldiers paraded around the massive interior courtyard of the Iraqi desert fortress. The 1st Bn. proudly displayed their unit in troop and vehicle formations, making three rounds in front of the distinguished vistors.

The ceremony concluded with an exchange of gifts between Tien and Iraqi Brig. Gen. Qais and followed by Iraqi Gen. Khorsheed doing a congratulatory handshake with officers and NCO's of 1st Battalion.

• Date Taken: 09.02.2006
• Date Posted: 09.11.2006 13:53
• Story ID: 7700
• Location: TAL AFAR, IQ