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Authority Transfer in Northern Baghdad Region
CAMP TAJI, Iraq, June 21, 2006 In a show of continued confidence in the skills of its Iraqi counterparts, Multinational DivisionBaghdad transferred authority for a major portion of the northern Baghdad region to the 9th Iraqi Army Division during an Iraqis in the Lead ceremony here June 19. U.S. Army Maj. Gen. J.D. Thurman, the commanding general of Multinational DivisionBaghdad, spoke about the preparedness and skills of the 9th Iraqi Army Division before transferring responsibility for an area consisting of more than 615 square kilometers to Iraqi Maj. Gen. Mahmoud Bashar, the commander of the 9th Iraqi Army Division. Ive seen the 9th Iraqi Army (Division) grow in skill, capabilities and confidence into a highly proficient, effective fighting force, said Thurman. They have never failed nor wavered in any mission. They have earned the confidence of the Iraqi people. The people of Iraq can be very proud of them. Through real-world missions and a validation exercises, the 9th Iraqi Army Division has demonstrated it is fully capable of taking over complete control of battlespace from the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division. As Iraqi Security Forces take the lead in battling the terrorist forces, they pave the way in making sure the national government comes together. We are taking control as a division, said Bashar, but we are not working alone. We will be working with (Maj.) Gen. Thurman and have support with the brigade as we take more and more control of the area. An armor company from 9th Iraqi Army Division currently provides protection to civilians in Baghdad. The division is the second Iraqi division to take the lead in the Multinational DivisionBaghdad area of responsibility. Bashar said he sees all of his soldiers working together as one to provide for the security of Iraq. My soldiers come from all over Iraq and know how to deal with different situations, he said. They can all do the same tasks and have the same feelings towards the Iraqi people. Iraq is first, everything else is second. This is a great day for me and my soldiers and I think its a great day for the new Iraqi army. Currently, eight Iraqi army brigades and 23 Iraqi army battalions have assumed the lead throughout Multinational DivisionBaghdads area of operations. Posted by: Bobby 2006-06-22 |
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