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| Iraq |
| Authority Transfer in Northern Baghdad Region |
| 2006-06-22 |
| CAMP TAJI, Iraq, June 21, 2006 — In a show of continued confidence in the skills of its Iraqi counterparts, Multinational Division–Baghdad 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 Division–Baghdad, 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. “I’ve 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 Division–Baghdad 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 it’s a great day for the new Iraqi army.” Currently, eight Iraqi army brigades and 23 Iraqi army battalions have assumed the lead throughout Multinational Division–Baghdad’s area of operations. |
| Posted by:Bobby |
| #11 What a great military. If only they didn't have to deal with a hostile environment--I mean the MSM and the liberal cut and run democrats. |
| Posted by: JohnQC 2006-06-22 20:40 |
| #10 Plus, Iraq is a functioning democracy, warts and all. While some people may not think that that is such a big deal, for that part of the world, it is miraculous. Add in the functioning military that is being brought up to Western standards {even if it is using Soviet equipment}, and you have a serious threat to the established order in the ME. |
| Posted by: Shieldwolf 2006-06-22 17:59 |
| #9 I agree with you Moose. Iraq is well on it's way to being the big dog in the neighborhood. |
| Posted by: phil_b 2006-06-22 17:48 |
| #8 Relative quiet in Baghdad, even the AP noted it today, resulting apparently from Op Forward Together, a principly Iraqi run op. Taking a huge handfull of (sea) salt and throwing it over LHs shoulder. |
| Posted by: 6 2006-06-22 17:48 |
| #7 Once again, I suggest that the US is training the Iraqis not just for internal security, but to be able to defend their country. That is, once they get heavy weapons and an air force, practically speaking they should be able to take on Iran and win. The difference between the US fighting Iran and Iraq fighting Iran would of course be friendly casualties. But we are training the Iraq army to whup Iran in a good-old-fashioned conventional war of toe-to-toe killing, WWII-style. Such training is missed in the internal security debate, but really matters. |
| Posted by: Anonymoose 2006-06-22 14:25 |
| #6 Here's some more progress from a former soldier, now on his own, embedded and reports from http://www.vetsforfreedom.org/blog/ Ramadi... with the Iraqi Army This is amazing. I have not spoken to wade in three days. And I have to return this laptop to its owner in two mintues... the Iraqi army is taking real estate from the enemy. Seeing these men in action is amazing. The people of Ramadi trust them. THey give them bread and tea. Kids are playing soccer and riding donkeys in the street. THe unit I am with (1st Iraqi division) is the oldest of the Iraqi army units. They have literally fought in every named and unnamed operation in Iraq. From Sadri City, Najaf, Fallujah, Haditha, Baghdad.. you name it. It is unbelievable. This unit has been bloddied... but more impressively they have bloodied the enemy 10 to 1. They drive their own Humvees, conduct their own patrols and plan their invidual movements. I am warmed to see that the future of Iraq is not only in trusted hands, but their lethality and their relationships with the locals proves to me that there is a bright future for a competant hand over of all military combat operations in the future. There is loss being taken in Ramadi. THe enemy's days of confidence in this city are over. I can't tell you what seeing this mission first hand has meant to me. What a great experience. What a great Army. Wade, if you are reading this... send money. No seriously, Wade stay safe and keep your head down. I have little internet access so I will do my best to update when possible. Thanks for the radio... obviously you are montioring it 24/7. An Iraqi soldier made fun of me today and picked up a rock and screamed, "WADE... CAN YOU HEAR ME". We could've saved money and made paper cups and string... take care bro. be safe. This really is amazing to see. |
| Posted by: Sherry 2006-06-22 13:51 |
| #5 ive seen several other hopeful things Steve. Relative quiet in Baghdad, even the AP noted it today, resulting apparently from Op Forward Together, a principly Iraqi run op. The rescue of hostages by the much maligned Iraqi Police. The arrest of a fundie Shiite official in Karbala with terr ties - a sign that Maliki is ready to begin dealing with the Shiite problem. And yes, the Muthana transfer, and this one as well. And no, Im not in the Belgravia Dispath - Andrew Sullivan school that thinks the best way to get support for staying the course is to go around talking about how the sky is falling. But I also think we endanger our position by overstating progress, in ways that lead inevitably to disappointment. |
| Posted by: liberalhawk 2006-06-22 13:27 |
| #4 Yes, we have a long way to go. This is still progress. It comes in dribs and drabs right now -- a dead terr, a transfer of control, a graduation of new police officers, etc. |
| Posted by: Steve White 2006-06-22 13:16 |
| #3 lets not get carried away bigjim. Its one province in the south, and a region within a province in the north (IIUC 3 kurdish provs in the north have been under Iraqi control for some time) Its progress for sure, but we've got a long way to go. |
| Posted by: liberalhawk 2006-06-22 13:10 |
| #2 Sad to say that this story probably won't get much play in the MSM or won't alter the thinking of the cut-and-run crowd. |
| Posted by: JohnQC 2006-06-22 13:02 |
| #1 That's the north and south of the country under local control now. Feels good, doesn't it? Screwing the Dims and getting the job done at the same time. |
| Posted by: bigjim-ky 2006-06-22 12:47 |