Iraqi operations centers now under one roof

Photo By Staff Sgt. Luke Koladish | Iraq's Minister of Defense Abdul Qadir joins Lt. Gen. Charles Jacoby, I Corps commander, and the commander of Iraqi Ground Forces Command, Lt. Gen. Ali Ghaidan Majid, to cut the ribbon outside the new IGFC Headquarters facility at the grand opening at Camp Victory, Jan. 3.  

BAGHDAD, IRAQ

01.03.2010

Story by Staff Sgt. Luke Koladish 

114th Public Affairs Detachment

BAGHDAD -- Iraq's Minister of Defense Abdul Qadir visited Camp Victory, Jan. 3, to join Lt. Gen. Charles Jacoby, I Corps commander, and the commander of Iraqi Ground Forces Command, Lt. Gen. Ali Ghaidan Majid, to celebrate the new IGFC Headquarters facility.

"With the continued support of the U. S. we were able to establish command and control with different technologies and communications throughout the command to coordinate with the ministries, the Army, Air Force and Navy," Qadir said.

Qadir cut the ribbon that stretched across the entrance to the four operational centers composing the IGFC headquarters. The guest made their way first to the IGFC joint operations center for both generals and the minister to address U.S. troops, Iraqi military officers and reporters.

"Since May of 2005 until now, we have achieved significantly more than what we had achieved in the past, and we are proud of this," the minister told those present.

The IGFC joint operations center, staffed entirely by Iraqi officers since, Jan. 1, has direct or indirect command and control of 10 Iraqi army divisions.

Jacoby said he knew before deploying that in order for the U.S. to be successful in their mission they had to join closely with their Iraqi brothers in the IGFC to form lasting relationships.

"This beautiful facility is a physical example of the hard work we have done together to build those relationships and from that partnership," he said.

Following their remarks, the senior leaders were given a tour of the Combined Intelligence Center and the Senior Work Group Center, ending with a briefing in the Combined Partnership Operations Center.

The result of a shared vision between Jacoby and Ali, the CPOC made the move to the new facility to accommodate the growing staff and partnership between U.S. and Iraqi forces.

"It shows that through this partnership with the IGFC and Corps, the staff has grown as an entity. It reflects the growth of the partnership concept, the requirements of IGFC, and the growth to support elements across the battlefield," said Col. Kelly C. Heatherman, the U. S. officer in charge of the CPOC.

Heatherman called the CPOC the pivot point between with the corps and IGFC to conduct intelligence gathering and sustainment for both forces across the battlefield.

"We are proud on this special day that all the operations centers are operating in one place under one control and command for [Iraqi army] divisions throughout Iraq," Majid said.

The Iraqi minister of defense charged the IGFC, with the support of U. S. forces, to remain vigilant, to continue to work hard to protect the people of Iraq and provide a safe environment for the upcoming elections.

• Date Taken: 01.03.2010
• Date Posted: 01.06.2010 03:16
• Story ID: 43473
• Location: BAGHDAD, IQ