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Iraqi Army in Operational Control near Fallujah
Not OF Fallujah, yet.IRAQS ARMY ASSUMES CONTROL OF FORCES NEAR FALLUJAH NASSER WA SALAAM, Iraq Iraqs army took a leap forward toward greater independent responsibility Oct. 1 when the 1st Iraqi Army Division assumed operational control of another brigade. Marines and soldiers of Regimental Combat Team 5, based in Fallujah, turned over operational control of Iraqi soldiers assigned to 4th Brigade to the 1st Iraqi Army Division in a ceremony marking the transfer of authority. Iraqi soldiers serving in the brigade operate in joint and independent battlespaces ranging from this small city west of Abu Ghraib to regions north of Fallujah. On behalf of the 5,000 Marines, sailors and soldiers of Regimental Combat Team 5, I want to say how special and important today is, said Col. Larry D. Nicholson, commanding officer of RCT-5. Nicholson said Iraqi soldiers, or jundi, proved their mettle in the past months by fighting insurgents alongside Marines, sharing in the risks and the victories over terrorism. Last week, jundi, Marines and police patrolled the streets of Gharmah, he explained. That couldnt have been imagined two years ago. Marines and jundi have fought together, died together and bled together. Iraqi Army Brig. Gen. Abdullah Abdul Satter Abdul Karem, commander of 4th Brigade, said the transfer from U.S. to Iraqi command was a historic occasion for the brigade, stating his Iraqi soldiers honor the men of our country. This is an indicator of the level of training of the jundi of 4th Brigade, Abdullah said. We are dedicated to building a free Iraq to defeat terrorism. Iraqi soldiers from 4th Brigade fought battles in Fallujah, Gharmah and Karbala, he said. They also distributed medical assistance to local residences and assisted in rebuilding Fallujah following the battle in 2004. Additionally, they protected electoral candidates from assassination attempts prior to Iraqs first free elections last year. Although the relationship has changed, Nicholson said, well continue to look forward to working together to defeat the enemy. This was the second such ceremony in as many months. In September, Iraqs 1st Division assumed authority over 3rd Brigade, based in Habbaniyah. Posted by: Glenmore 2006-10-02 |
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