By Capt. Timothy Nash

DIYALA, Iraq — Iraqi and U.S. soldiers celebrated the arrival of a new commander for the 5th Iraqi Army Division at the dining facility on Forward Operation Base Warhorse in Diyala province, Iraq, Aug. 14.

Upon his arrival at the dining facility Brig. Gen. Diaa and his staff were greeted by leadership from the 1st Battalion, 21 Infantry Regiment, 2nd Stryker Advise and Assist Brigade, 25th Infantry Division. The general moved easily about the room exchanging words with U.S. and Iraqi personnel before being led to his seat at the head of the table next to 2nd SAAB, 25th ID Commander Col. Malcolm Frost.

Diaa took command of the 5th Iraqi Army Division in Diyala during a time of change. The drawdown of U.S. forces in Iraq places the responsibility of Iraq’s security on the shoulders of the Iraqi Security Forces with U.S. forces in an “advise and assist” role. In a province like Diyala where attacks still occur regularly the security of the Iraqi people is directly dependent on the 5th Iraqi Army Division.

Lt. Col. Mel Williams is the 5th Iraqi Division Stability Transition Team chief. His role is advisor to Diaa and his responsibility is to provide advice and assistance as Diaa develops his staff into a cohesive working unit. Williams believes that Diaa is an officer with unlimited potential in what he can accomplish with the division.

“He has as we could say, ‘The right stuff’ to build a team and to reinforce his ideals and beliefs," said Williams. “The one thing that you’ve got to understand about leadership is that leadership’s not just talking. Leadership is about execution and about being a role model and Diaa is that by all accounts.”

Diaa has been in the service of his country for a long time. He graduated from the Iraqi Military Academy in 1981 and served as an armor officer and company commander in the 4th and 24th Iraqi Army Divisions during the Iraq-Iran War. He received a master’s degree in military science from Iraqi Staff College in 1994 and attended Command College in 2001. During the U.S. invasion of Iraq he was commander of the 1st Commando Brigade, 5th Corps.

Williams believes that there is a lot of potential not only in Diaa but in the entire 5th Iraqi Army Division.

“I see a man who’s willing to initiate change and I see a man who’s not afraid to stand up for what he believes is right,” said Williams, “I see the next year that we’re going to be working hand in hand with these guys as a very challenging year … I am 100 percent confident that General Diaa is the right person to be at the helm of this division and steer it in the right direction.”

That direction is set and on Sept. 1, U.S. forces will change the name of the mission from Operation Iraqi Freedom to Operation New Dawn launching a new era for a new division commander.

At the close of the welcome celebration the new 5th Iraqi Army Division commander thanked his hosts, the Soldiers of 1/21st Inf., 2SAAB, with a short speech.

“It is my hope, that in a few years, you will all return to Diyala as civilians and as our guests so that we can share in the peace that we established here together,” he stated.

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