Photo By Staff Sgt. David Strayer | Pfc. Michael Groves, a combat engineer with Company C, Brigade Support Battalion, 1st...... read more read more
CONTINGENCY OPERATING LOCATION K1, Iraq – Soldiers of Company C, 1st Brigade Special Troops Battalion and 101st Brigade Support Battalion, 1st Advise and Assist Task Force, 1st Infantry Division, vacated and transferred control of Contingency Operating Location K1 to Iraq Security Forces, July 25.
Before the transition of the facility, combat engineers from Company C, 1st BSTB, worked several days to dismantle and pack all U.S. equipment and systems to minimize any operational or physical ‘footprint’ left by U.S. forces following the withdrawal from COL K1.
Sgt. Maj. Trennel Finch, Company B, Division Special Troops Battalion, 4th Infantry Division, said the transfer and signing over of COL K1 is a landmark event for U.S. forces as they work toward troop and equipment consolidation.
The transfer is also significant for Iraqi Security Forces in Kirkuk province, who now gain an operational center that will help them facilitate their security mission, Finch added.
After years of residency by U.S. forces and months of preparation, soldiers of “Devil” Brigade currently occupying COL K1 witnessed the conclusion of their efforts as Iraqi forces assumed responsibility of the base.
The handover of each U.S. installation to the Government of Iraq exemplifies the progress of Iraqi forces becoming self-sustaining and fully capable during Operation New Dawn, said Finch.
“This would be the 15th U.S. installation that I have helped to close down and hand over to the Government of Iraq since October of 2010,” said Finch. “As the noncommissioned officer in charge of base closure for United States Division-North, I personally like to ensure that we turn these installations over to the Government of Iraq in a responsible way.”
After advising and training Iraqi soldiers for the past year during Operation New Dawn, U.S. forces now look to return operating bases back to ISF control, providing locations to house the newly-trained units.
The transfer marked the official signing over of all the facilities and equipment at COL K1 to the K1 Iraqi Location Command, said Maj. Jeremy Hall, an engineer advisor to the 12th Iraqi Army Stability Transition Team, Company C, 101st BSB.
“The Iraqi Location Command is like one of our garrison commands back home; they are the command element here at K1,” Hall explained.
After months of accounting for equipment, property and systems on the U.S.-controlled portion of the COL K1, Devil Brigade Soldiers prepared to sign everything that was not being taken with them over to the ISF.
“Since U.S. forces began using the K1 facility, a lot of property has accumulated here that had to be accounted for so that we could make a responsible handoff to the Iraqis. We wanted them to know exactly what we were giving them,” said Hall, a native of Dickinson, N.D. “We downsized as much of our equipment and property as we could by moving it to [another U.S. base] leading up to this base closure, we also are transitioning much of it to the Iraqis.”
In recent years, U.S. and Iraqi forces used training centers at COL K1 as hubs for combined instruction between U.S. soldiers and various units of Iraqi Security Forces, including Iraqi Army infantry and route clearance units.
“This base will eventually be turned over from Location Command to the 12th Iraqi Army Division,” said Hall. “The 12th IA is planning on using the K1 facility to support a new tank regiment that is forming. The regiment is not on the ground yet, but it is in the working for the future.”
This base handoff, Hall said, and the responsible manner in which it was completed, is symbolic of everything that U.S. advisory teams have done here since the first teams arrived in country during Operation Iraqi Freedom.
“Moving out and allowing the ISF to move into this installation demonstrates the confidence we have in our Iraqi counterparts to carry out the security mission here in Kirkuk province,” he added.
As U.S. forces move forward with Operation New Dawn, Finch said continued base transitions are symbolic of the partnership created between U.S. and Iraqi forces, and the ability of the Iraqi government to function independently.
“We are on the right track right now, we need to maintain the standard and accountability,” said Finch. “We want to make sure that we preserve this great relationship that we have with our Iraqi counterparts so that we move into the future together, as allies and brothers.”
| Date Taken: | 07.27.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 07.27.2011 08:41 |
| Story ID: | 74372 |
| Location: | CONTINGENCY OPERATING LOCATION K1, IQ |
| Web Views: | 157 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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