Old Hickory troops reduce U.S. footprint

Photo By Sgt. Waine Haley | Sgt. Kenneth Helms, of B Battery, 113th Field Artillery, 30th Heavy Brigade Combat Team, a recovery team chief from Monroe, N.C., gathers trash at Patrol Base Dolby prior to an inspection by Government of Iraq officials, Sept. 7.  

BAGHDAD, IRAQ

09.07.2009

Story by Sgt. Waine Haley 

30th Armored Brigade Combat Team

BAGHDAD — Soldiers from 113th Field Artillery, 30th Heavy Brigade Combat Team took the "labor" part of Labor Day literally as cleaned-up and turned over Patrol Base Dolby to the Government of Iraq, Sept. 7.

As part of the Security Agreement, U.S. forces continue to reduce their operational footprint by turning over secure areas in southern Baghdad to the Government of Iraq.

According to Capt. Brain Grey, commander of B Battery, 113th FA, Dolby was constructed during the troop surge of 2006 to help root out al-Qaida in the area.

The location of the base, hard work by U.S. and Iraqi troops and local civilians wanting a better place to live finally drove out the insurgent groups that infested the area.

"The good the U.S. Army has done shows in relationships the people have with Soldiers," said Sameer Al-Haddad, the Receivership Secretariat and representative to the Office of the Prime Minister. "The people in this area are very happy."

"The area should be fine with us pulling back," said Grey. "We're going to keep doing patrols in the area."

Mr. Al-Haddad went on to say he is happy with the results of the properties' restoration to its original condition.

"I want to thank the U.S. Army for doing such a good job cleaning up and making sure environment is returned the way it was found," stated al-Haddad.

The original owners will take possession of the surrounding land and the search for the house owner continues. Three of the four land owning families are still in the area and showed up the day of the turnover.

"We are a government for the people and the returning of the property shows this," said al-Haddad.

• Date Taken: 09.07.2009
• Date Posted: 09.10.2009 01:30
• Story ID: 38520
• Location: BAGHDAD, IQ