Posted on 06/24/2009 4:01:58 PM PDT by SandRat
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 Security Agreement. 
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.
The 1st "Ironhorse" Brigade Combat Team (BCT), 1st Cavalry Division transferred the JSS to the 1st Battalion, 44th Brigade, 11th IA Division, to better facilitate the Iraqi Security Forces taking over security here.
"This is the most important, most iconic of all our JSSs,” said Maj. Geoffrey Norman, 1st BCT executive officer. “Sadr City is viewed as sacred ground for both us and the Iraqis.”
JSS Sadr City was established in 2007 and has housed four U.S. Army units through the years. In this period, the U.S. had approximately 130 servicemembers killed or wounded and the ISF endured approximately 190 casualties in this area.
"This JSS has a very significant meaning...we share a bond of sacrifice," Norman said reverently.
Now entering a new phase, the 11th IA Div. assumes responsibility of securing the area surrounding JSS Sadr City and providing a safe, secure and stable community for the people of Iraq.
"They will make the most out of the facility, as we did,” said Norman. “This installation remains very important to ISF. It serves as a visible reminder to the local population that there is a strong security force presence."
The U.S. Soldiers worked with their Iraqi counterparts to determine what equipment they needed left at the installation in order to function efficiently.
"We have to set the Iraqis up for success when we transfer the facilities,” said Maj. Sean Davis, logistics officer, 1st BCT. “We take care of them so they can be triumphant."
The U.S. Soldiers, who have moved to JSS War Eagle or JSS Ur, will be available to assist the IA if needed.
"The locations that the various companies have moved to are not disruptive to daily life but close enough to provide support to their IA counterparts when requested," said Norman.
JSS Sadr City is one of the eight installations the 1st BCT has turned over to the Government of Iraq.
(By Sgt. Shejal Pulivarti, 1st Cavalry Division)
Can’t wait to hear about this on the 11:00 news!
Ha ha. I was just kidding of course.
I wonder if this idiot is still around?
He may be trying to stir things up
in Iran now.
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