Posted on 10/29/2005 10:09:24 AM PDT by mdittmar
KIRKUCH, Iraq –– US soldiers turned over a base in eastern Iraq on Saturday to the Iraqi army's 5th Division in a ceremony designed to underscore the country's growing capability to ensure its own security.
"US armed forces are leaving the base, and turning it over to Iraqi troops," said General Abdel Kader Mohammad Kassem, commander of Iraq's ground forces.
The US army had announced the handover on Wednesday, saying that "more than 3,000 soldiers from Task Force Liberty and the 278th Regimental Combat Team will conclude their mission in eastern Diyala Province with a departure ceremony on Forward Operating Base Caldwell," the army's name for the facility.
The base is located 25 kilometers (15 miles) from the Iranian border.
"The 1st Brigade of the Iraqi army’s 5th Division in Diyala, because of their proven operational capabilities, will take on a greater security role in the military operations in the sector," the US military said.
The US soldiers, who belong to Tennessee National Guard, carried out more than 13,000 combat missions in 11 months and "seized and destroyed more than 340 weapons caches of bomb making materials and another 275 stockpiles of unexploded ordnance," the US military said. –– AFP
Great.
Excellent news! One step closer to bringing home my friends and neighbors and a cousin who is currently serving. :)
Hmmmm. Would the "Times of Oman" be considered part of the MSM?
/s
Just 15 miles from the real center of terrorism. Very good.
Additional good news that will be embargoed by the MSM.
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