U.S., Iraqi forces bid farewell to western Anbar Iraqi commander

Photo By Sgt. Mike MacLeod | U.S. Army Col. Mark R. Stammer, commander of 1st Brigade, 82nd Airborne Division (Advise and Assist Brigade), visits with the outgoing commander of the 7th Iraqi Army Division, Staff Maj. Gen. Abdullah Muhammad Baider Aljubouri and his replacement, staff Brig. Gen. Ismaeel Khalif al-Khalifawi, during the division's change of command, April 1, at Camp Mejid, Iraq. Ismaeel is a native of the western Al Anbar town, Al Qaim.  

CAMP MEJID, IRAQ

04.02.2010

Story by Sgt. Mike MacLeod 

1st Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division Public Affairs

CAMP MEJID, Iraq — The Iraqi army general who presided over western Al Anbar province during some of its most dramatic security gains relinquished command of 7th Iraqi Army Division to its new leader April 2.

Staff Maj. Gen. Abdullah Muhammad Baider Aljubouri said goodbye to his brigade commanders and his U.S. Marine Corps and Army training partners while welcoming his replacement, Staff Brig. Gen. Ismaeel Khalif al-Khalifawi.

"He is like a father to the whole 7th Division," said 1st Lt. Hayder, supply officer for the division for the two years and three months of Abdullah's command.

"We lost him," said Hayder. "Some of us are crying today."

"It's very poignant," said Lt. Col. Terry Trenchard, of 7th Division Military Transition Team. Abdullah has served with the 1st and 7th IA Divisions in Anbar since 2004, said Trenchard, and his departure from the province ends a long and rich history with the Marine Corps.

In a brief speech, Abdullah reflected on his time with 7th Division, noting with pride the lack of a single shot fired during the March 4 special elections and March 7 general elections.

Hayder agreed the security gains were the greatest achievement of Abdullah's command time at the division.

"Security in Anbar is so good now, we can actually leave the base in uniform without weapons and not be afraid," he said.

Abdullah is slated to become the deputy commander of the Ninewah Operations Center, from where his replacement, Ismaeel, just departed.

Ismaeel is originally from Al Qaim, a western town not far from the Syrian border that is within the 7th Division area of operations.

• Date Taken: 04.02.2010
• Date Posted: 04.04.2010 13:18
• Story ID: 47676
• Location: CAMP MEJID, IQ