Document signing opens compound to Iraqi Army

Photo By Spc. Adam Hefner | Lt. Gen. Gregg Athey, the commander of the 1st Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment and sCOL Adnon, the commander of the 31st Brigade of the 8th Iraqi Army, exchange official transfer documents at COS Kalsu Feb. 5. These documents signify the transfer of portions of COS Kalsu from the United States Forces to the Iraqi Security Forces.  

BABIL, IRAQ

02.05.2011

Story by Staff Sgt. Garrettgarrett Ralston 

3d Cavalry Regiment Public Affairs Office

BABIL, Iraq – The 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment and representatives of the 2nd Battalion, 31st Iraqi Army Brigade, signed official documents Saturday that will provide Iraqi Security Forces a new compound on Contingency Operating Site Kalsu.

Development of the new compound will allow for more joint missions for the two units, while supplementing security in and around COS Kalsu.

“The completion of this project is one of the initial lines of effort for the Regiment,” said Lt. Col. Wilton C. Jackson, the 31st BDE Stability Transition Team chief, and native of Jackson, Miss.

Commander of the 3rd ACR’s 1st Squadron, Lt. Col. Gregg Athey, signed the papers alongside Iraqi officials, marking the start of a transition to a self sufficient security force.

Planning for the compound began in November 2010, and a piece of ground within the COS was selected and prepared for the layout of the site. Hundreds of barrier walls have been placed to provide force protection, making it safe for the ISF to operate within the perimeter.

Within the compound, the ISF will have insulated living quarters, complete dining facilities and the space necessary to sustain an effective security force. The compound sits near the center of Kalsu, a convenient location for the force to work with USF counterparts.

“This new site will allow for an increase in training and missions between USF and ISF,” said Capt. Joseph L. Marshall, commander of the 89th Chemical Company, 3rd ACR. “Our partnered missions will be much easier when we live right next door to each other.”

Once settled in, the Iraqi battalion will have a convenient staging base to operate in key areas between Kalsu and other outlying checkpoints.

Jackson said the move would allow the Iraqi brigade to expand its area of operation, and greatly improve their security efforts in the area.

• Date Taken: 02.05.2011
• Date Posted: 02.08.2011 02:43
• Story ID: 64972
• Location: BABIL, IQ