Multi-National Division - Center, Multi-National Divison - Southeast combine, creating Multi-National Divison - South

Photo By Sgt. Darryl Montgomery | British Maj. Gen. Andy Salmon, Multi-National Division - Southeast commander, and Maj. Gen. Michael Oates, Multi-National Division - South commander, shake hands during the transfer of responsibility ceremony, March 31, in Basra.  

BASRA, IRAQ

03.31.2009

Courtesy Story

Multi-National Division-Central

CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE BASRA, Iraq – The Multi-National Division – Center absorbed MND-Southeast into its operating area, forming MND-South, during a transfer of responsibility ceremony today at Basra International Airport.

Maj. Gen. Michael Oates, MND-S commander, accepted responsibility from the commander of MND-SE, British Maj. Gen. Andy Salmon. Oates and the MND-S now support Iraqi security forces operations over nine provinces in southern Iraq.

Gen. Raymond Odierno, Multi-National Force – Iraq commanding general, Lt. Gen. Lloyd Austin III, Multi-National Corps – Iraq commander, government of Iraq officials and ISF leaders were on hand to witness the historic transfer.

Austin congratulated the outgoing command for all their accomplishments in Basra.

"We thank you very much for your service to the coalition and the Iraqi people. You have been an essential part in Basra's hard-won and new-found freedom," he said.

The MNC-I commander encouraged the newly-formed MND-S to continue the high standards set by MND-SE.

"As we farewell the Multi-National Division -- Southeast, we welcome the Multi-National Division – South...10th Mountain Division Soldiers are the right team for the work that remains," said Austin, who commanded the 10th Mtn. Div. from Sept. 2003 to Aug. 2005. "[They] have made significant strides in providing security in central and southern Iraq by partnering with the Iraqi security forces over the past year. Now they will expand their great partnership with the Iraqi security forces throughout the entire south."

Oates, who was responsible for eight provinces as MND-C commander, expressed his appreciation for United Kingdom contributions here, calling the U.S. and British relationship outstanding.

"It's a bitter-sweet day for me to have them leave," said Oates, a native of San Antonio, Texas. "I'm enormously proud of them and I think the people of Great Britain should be very proud of their Army."

The MND-S objectives in Basra include helping with economic development and governance, increasing security for the Iraqi people and assisting with training and transitioning of ISF.

After six years of deployment in southeast Iraq, approximately 4,000 British troops remain. They are scheduled to redeploy this summer.

• Date Taken: 03.31.2009
• Date Posted: 03.31.2009 12:01
• Story ID: 31814
• Location: BASRA, IQ