Photo By Spc. Jason Dangel | BAGHDAD - Col. Mohammed Wasif, commander, 5th Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division,...... read more read more
Pfc. Jason Dangel
4th BCT PAO, 4ID
BAGHDAD - The 5th Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division, assumed responsibility for areas in central and southern Baghdad during a battle space transfer of authority ceremony from 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, at Forward Operating Base Honor Monday.
The ceremony took place after many months of training and combined missions between the two units, in which the Soldiers of the 4th BCT assisted the Soldiers of 5th Brigade in preparation to assume the battle space inside and around the International Zone.
Col. Mohammed Wasif, the 5th Brigade commander, accepted responsibility from
Col. Michael Beech, the 4th BCT commander, as his unit became the latest Iraqi unit to gain control of its own area of responsibility.
"This brigade has trained hard, and we are ready for the mission," Mohammed said to the crowd of spectators. "We promised God and the government that we will remain loyal Soldiers, defending the borders of this country."
The assumption marks the unrelenting progress in the Iraqi Security Forces" capabilities.
"This event sends a clear message to those who wish to disrupt or doubt the successful future of Iraq," Beech said. "As our combined forces continue to grow, we will follow the Iraqi lead as they continue to keep the pressure on the enemies of a free Iraq."
Beech said he remains optimistic about the new transition. The Iraqi army is now responsible for the security of nearly 60 percent of the Baghdad area. This is important in light of the fact the country is preparing for the upcoming seating of the Council of Representatives.
The Soldiers of the 5th Iraqi Bde. have been operating independently for months with little or no assistance from 4th BCT, Beech said, and as they take the lead in operations in central and southern Baghdad, both units will continue to work together.
"Our mission remains the same," Beech said. "We are proud to continue combined operations as Allies and to support the success of the 5th brigade."
Currently, the 6th Iraqi Division is responsible for all the battle space in Baghdad. The 5th Brigade's area of operations covers approximately 50 square kilometers of the city.
The brigade's three battalions will primarily operate inside the International Zone and the Karradah Peninsula. The ISF will be responsible for running various checkpoints in the area of operations.
"The responsibility of our Army is to protect this country and it's people," said Maj. Gen. Mubdar Hatim Hazya Al-Duleimi, commanding general, 6th IAD, "and because of the bravery of our Armed Forces that sacrifice themselves on a daily basis, the amount of insurgent activity will continue to decrease."
Arriving in December, the 4th BCT, working as part of the Multi-National Division " Baghdad, relinquished control of Forward Operating Base Honor to its Iraqi counterparts Jan. 31.
The battle space transition marks the continued progress of ISF as it fights to secure the country for its people.
| Date Taken: | 02.21.2006 |
| Date Posted: | 02.21.2006 15:48 |
| Story ID: | 5449 |
| Location: | BAGHDAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 117 |
| Downloads: | 31 |
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