GOI take control of SOI in Rusafa

Photo By Spc. Grant Okubo | Iraqi officials, Iraqi security forces and Soldiers from 3rd Squadron, 89th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, Multi-National Division - Baghdad witness the transfer of authority on Oct. 10, 2008, over the Sons of Iraq at Forward Operating Base Volunteer in the Rusafa District of eastern Baghdad.  

BAGHDAD, IRAQ

10.12.2008

Story by Spc. Grant Okubo 

4th Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division Public Affairs

By Sgt. Grant Okubo
4th Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division

FORWARD OPERATING BASE LOYALTY, Iraq – Government of Iraq officials and coalition Soldiers gathered on Oct. 10, 2008, at Forward Operating Base Volunteer in the Rusafa district of eastern Baghdad to transfer responsibility of the SOI over to the GOI.

Iraqi officials, Iraqi security forces and members of the Sons of Iraq invited Soldiers from 3rd Squadron, 89th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, Multi-National Division - Baghdad to the Iraqi army headquarters in order to officially sign over responsibility of the Sons of Iraq to the GOI.

Col. Craig Collier, squadron commander for 3rd Sqdn., 89th Cav. Regt. signed responsibility of the SOI in Rusafa over to the GOI. Representing the GOI in the signing was Brig. Gen. Haitham Al Awani, 43rd Brigade, 11th Iraqi army Div.

Coalition forces originally handled SOI payments. However, the signing now transfers that responsibility over to the GOI.

During the ceremony, Al'aa Dagher, the Rusafa District council chairman spoke about the importance of the SOI and their role in the security of Rusafa. Dagher likened the SOI to a "pure seed," which has spread throughout all Iraq and has helped stabilize the country by partnering with U.S. and ISF to establish security.

Al Awani brought his SOI leaders to the signing to show them the process to changeover responsibility of the SOI is going to go smoothly, said Capt. Timothy Green, effects coordinator for 3rd Sqdn., 89th Cav. Regt. In addition he had a presence of key leaders from the Rusafa area to show support for this move and to bring a level of reassurance for members of the SOI, explained Green.

"There was a really great turnout from the [SOI]," stated Green. It was a good sign of solidarity having the ISF standing next to the SOI, providing security and watching over the people of Rusafa, he added.

"That's the end state, one big team working together for security."

Members of the SOI expressed a hopeful outlook of the future under the ISF.

"We are all happy we joined the Iraqi army," said Ahmad. "We are all (working) together ... to protect our country against terrorists"

• Date Taken: 10.12.2008
• Date Posted: 10.12.2008 15:30
• Story ID: 24870
• Location: BAGHDAD, IQ