Free Republic

BAGHDAD (Reuters) – U.S. troops pulled out of Baghdad on Monday, triggering jubilation among Iraqis hopeful that foreign military occupation is ending six years after the invasion to depose Saddam Hussein. Iraqi soldiers paraded through the streets in their American-made vehicles draped with Iraqi flags and flowers, chanting, dancing and calling the pullout a "victory." One drove a motorcycle with party streamers on it; another, a Humvee with a garland of plastic roses on the grill. U.S. combat troops must pull out of Iraq's urban centers by midnight on Tuesday under a bilateral security pact that also requires all troops...

Lt. Col. Timothy Karcher, commander, 2nd Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment, presents Sameer al Haddad, a representative from the Office of the Prime Minister of Iraq, a symbolic key signifying the transfer of responsibility of Joint Security Station Sadr City in northeast Baghdad during the official ceremony, June 20. Photo by Sgt. Shejal Pulivarti, 1st Cavalry Division. BAGHDAD — A common sense of triumph and accomplishment drifted in the air during a ceremony in northeast Baghdad’s Sadr City district June 20, as U.S. Soldiers returned Joint Security Station (JSS) Sadr City to the Iraqi Army (IA), in accordance with the U.S.-Iraq...

BAGHDAD — Since its inception, the Lessons Learned Center (LLC) has focused on how it can help the Iraqi Army (IA) better its performance in defending the nation. Fulfilling a key element of the US-Iraq Security Agreement, the LLC collects and analyzes what IA forces have learned from previous missions and then uses that information to recommend improvements to those forces. This has helped improve both the units’ professionalism and the security they provide. There are three main sections to the LLC. The Collections section is responsible for visiting units to collect information in a detailed and organized method. This...

BAGHDAD — As the June 30 deadline for U.S. Soldiers to be out of Iraqi cities draws near, U.S. forces under Multi-National Division - Baghdad handed over Joint Security Station (JSS) Hurriyah II to Iraqi Security Forces, June 9. "This is yet another step the sovereign state of Iraq has taken to provide for the security of the people of Baghdad and the progress that has been achieved together with the Iraqi Security Forces," said Col. Joseph Martin, commander, 2nd Heavy Brigade Combat Team. "Iraq is now enjoying irreversible momentum toward a peaceful and prosperous future." Since October, elements of...

Capt. Adam Ropelewski, commander, Battery B, 2nd Battalion, 20th Field Artillery Regiment, signs over control of Joint Security Station Mutanabe to Capt. 'Ali Abdual Zaharra Hussain, 4th Company, 3rd Battalion, 32nd Iraqi Army Brigade, at a transfer ceremony, May 28. Photo by Sgt. Joe Thompson, Multi-National Division-South. FOB DELTA — U.S. forces handed over the responsibility of Joint Security Station Mutanabe in the Wasit province to the Iraqi Army (IA) in a ceremony here, May 28. Capt. Adam Ropelewski, commander of Battery B, 2nd Battalion, 20th Field Artillery Regiment, 41st Fires Brigade, signed over the JSS to Capt. Ali Abdual...

A line of M1A1 Abrams tanks sit in the Iraqi sun as Soldiers of the 9th Iraqi Army Division receive instruction on the basics of tank operation April 11 at Forward Operating Base Hammer. The Iraqi government has purchased 140 Abrams tanks and these Soldiers will be among the first to become certified.

A man wearing an Iraqi army uniform has shot dead two US soldiers and injured three others in a military base south of the northern city of Mosul. The US army said the man was also killed in the incident but gave little information about the attack. But Iraqi military reports said he was a soldier also working as an Imam for at a mosque on the base. No motive was given for the attack but Mosul is seen as the last remaining urban stronghold of al-Qaeda in Iraq. The US army said it had received reports of "small arms...

Gunman in Iraqi uniform kills 2 U.S. soldiers BAGHDAD - An attacker wearing an Iraqi army uniform shot to death two U.S. soldiers outside the volatile northern city of Mosul on Saturday, the U.S. military said. "We have reports of a small arms fire attack in Hamam al-Alil, 12.5 miles south of Mosul," said Major Derrick Cheng, a spokesman for the U.S. military in Mosul and surrounding Nineveh province. "There are initial reports of two U.S. soldiers killed in the attack ... According to initial reports, an individual dressed in an Iraqi army uniform fired on the coalition forces and...

BAGHDAD, April 13, 2009 – In their first engagement on Camp Liberty, Multinational Division Baghdad leaders serving with the 1st Infantry Division’s 2nd Heavy Brigade Combat Team met April 11 with the staff of the 6th Iraqi Army Division’s 24th Brigade. Army Col. Joseph Martin meets with Iraqi army leaders for dinner at the Dagger Inn dining facility on Camp Liberty, Iraq, April 11, 2009. The meeting was the first time the leaders have met at Camp Liberty. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Dustin Roberts  (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available. The leaders, who help to secure the population...

An Iraqi screener searches a local national before entering Joint Base Balad, April 1. Photo by Tech. Sgt. Lionel Castellano, 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing. JOINT BASE BALAD — More than 100 Iraqis were recently contracted to secure the outer perimeter of this base to help protect the men and women serving here. “This contract is a first of its kind,” said Lt. Col. Raymond Reyes, Joint Base Balad (JBB) Regional Contracting Center commander. “Putting a requirement to employ 80 percent of the contractor’s workforce from the local area is an innovative contracting solution to implementing the Joint Campaign Plan.“This is...

CAMP MEJID — Military Transition Team (MiTT)-7, working with the Reconnaissance Platoon of Regimental Combat Team (RCT)-8, recently launched a month-long training course designed to hone the skills of the 7th Iraqi Army Division’s Special Operations Battalion. The training program began with a five-day marksmanship refresher, which reminded the Iraqi commandos how to properly zero their weapons, fire at extended distances, and rapidly assess and engage close-range targets with their assault rifles. “I’d say they’re giving everything they’ve got,” said Robert Wise, MiTT-7’s special operations foreign internal defense specialist. “They come out here, and in their own way, they try...

PATROL BASE HILLA, Iraq, March 27, 2009 – The Iraqi army’s 31st Brigade chose its best and brightest soldiers to attend the first “Sergeant’s Time” training hosted by U.S. soldiers at the Iraqi army compound here. Army Spc. Daniel S. Mutchler, signal support systems specialist and “Sergeant’s Time” instructor, shows Iraqi soldiers how to properly tie down an OE-254 antenna during the 172nd Infantry Brigade’s first Iraqi army Sergeant’s Time training at the Iraqi army compound on Patrol Base Hilla, Iraq, March 17, 2009. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Michael J. Taylor  (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available. Soldiers...

BAGHDAD, March 26, 2009 – Iraq soldiers of the 11th Iraqi Army Division and members of the 11th U.S. Military Transition Team delivered much-needed medical supplies to the residents of northeastern Baghdad’s al-Shaab community March 19. This joint humanitarian-aid mission was the first glimpse of government assistance for some residents of this poverty-stricken neighborhood in the Adhamiyah district.  Students at the New Iraq School smile at the sight of Iraqi and coalition forces who were bringing medical supplies to al-Shaab community in northeastern Baghdad, March 19, 2009. U.S. Army photo by Spc. Phillip Adam Turner  (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution...

DIYALA — The Iraqi Army assumed control of Combat Outpost Ayres from 3rd Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division during a ceremony held March 19. Capt. Matthew Caprari, commander, Apache Company, 3-21 Inf., the unit that had operational control of COP Ayres, signed control over to Iraqi Army commander Lt. Col. Khalil Malik Ahmed, commander, 3rd Battalion, 20th IA Brigade. The official documents were signed during a brief ceremony, presided over by Khalil and Lt. Col. James R. DeMoss, battalion commander, 3-21 Inf. “Today is a significant day for the Iraqi and U.S. partnership,”...

2nd Lt. Ghazwan Wafeaq Majed (center) proudly holds his diploma after being the first Iraqi Army officer to complete the Iraqi Junior Leader Development Course at Forward Operating Base Dolby, March 16. Photo by Spc. Kevin Holden, 1st Armored Division Public Affairs. BAGHDAD — Iraqi Army (IA) 2nd Lt. Ghazwan Wafeaq Majed became the first IA officer to complete the Junior Leader Development Course at Forward Operating Base Dolby, March 16.The goal of the training is to continue the improvement of the IA and prepare them to assume an ever-increasing role in providing for the defense of Iraq. The security...

American and Iraqi troops interact with villagers near Forward Operating Base Hunter, March 7. The village leader offered hot sweet tea, bread and bottled water to the hard-working troops. Photo by 1st Lt. Jason Frisco, 1st Cavalry Division Public Affairs. FOB HUNTER — Nearly 500 Iraqi Soldiers recently traveled approximately 20 miles to reinforce that the Iraqi Army (IA) is capable of ensuring security and providing stability here. The 3rd Battalion, 41st Iraqi Army Brigade Soldiers joined their American counterparts from the 1st Cavalry Division for ‘Operation Thesinger,’ March 7.“I’m always excited to work with the Americans,” said Lt. Nubrass...

KIRKUK — More than 600 Iraqi Army (IA) Soldiers completed an intense, month-long Warfighter Training Course at the K1 Regional Training Center here, March 12. According to IA Staff Lt. Gen. Husayn Jasim Dohi, deputy chief of staff for training, the Soldiers were instructed on small and intermediate weapons, IED awareness and prevention, and checkpoint procedures. The battalion also practiced patrolling in a MOUT (Military Operations on Urban Terrain), that simulated a village with homes and a hospital. Ethics were also covered during the training. “Good training without values is not good. You become an Army of criminals and the...

A woman from Amarah thanks an Iraqi Army Soldier during a humanitarian aid drop in Amarah, March 9. Photo by 2nd Lt. Sean Frankum, 1st Cavalry Division Public Affairs. FOB GARRY OWEN — Iraqi Soldiers recently traveled house to house in a small neighborhood in the Maysan province on the southeastern border of Iraq to hand out essential supplies to citizens in need.The Iraqi Soldiers, assisted by their American counterparts, provided blankets, canned food and other household necessities during the humanitarian aid drop in the city of Amarah.Along with food and bedding supplies, Iraqi children were also given comic books...

TAJI, Iraq, Jan. 28, 2009 – Coalition members transferred the 4,000th armored Humvee to the Iraqi government Jan. 25 as part of a program to provide mission-capable Humvees to Iraqi security forces and on-the-job training to Iraqi mechanics. The program, based at Camp Taji here, is managed by logistics personnel from Multinational Security Transition Command Iraq, with assistance from Army Materiel Command, Tank and Automotive Command, Multinational Corps Iraq and other coalition partners. The program includes a complete refurbishment of Humvees for the Iraqi Defense Ministry, Interior Ministry and Iraqi Counter-Terrorism Bureau. The project employs more than 500 Iraqis with...

Iraqi and U.S. Soldiers depart Contingency Operating Base Adder in southern Iraq, Jan. 18, 2009. The Iraqi troops now provide convoy security for the 27 BSB Soldiers. Photo courtesy of 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division. COB ADDER — Iraqi Army (IA) Soldiers for the first time escorted a Coalition logistics convoy to remote outposts in southern Iraq, Jan. 18. Iraqi troops from the 10th Motor Transportation Regiment, 10th IA Division provided security for the 27th Brigade Support Battalion, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Div. while the battalion delivered supplies.“The mission was executed in a very professional manner,”...