By Sgt. Antonieta Rico
5th Mobile Public Affairs Det. (Forward)
Mosul, Iraq-- First Brigade, 3rd Iraqi Army Infantry Division assumed battle space responsibility Nov. 8 at Al Kasik.
First Brigade will be responsible for the Al-Kasik area, the eastern third of Western Nineveh Province, a large portion of which borders Syria.
Although the official papers were signed at the ceremony, the brigade has proved its mettle again and again. First Brigade soldiers took part in the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment offensive to clear Tal'Afar of insurgents. Tal Afar, a former insurgent stronghold, has remained fairly stable since the offensive in the fall of 2005.
Maj. Gen. Khursheed Al Dosky, 3rd Iraqi Army Infantry Division commander, addressed the Soldiers of the brigade, expressing his pride and confidence in their proven abilities.
"My courageous brothers of 1st Brigade troops, you sacrifice the best of your young men in this particular part of your country," said Khursheed, "Your victorious battles which you lined up in the area of responsibility clearing Tal'Afar city, these battles will never be forgotten, neither by friends nor by enemy."
Khursheed also reaffirmed for his Soldiers the responsibility still facing them.
"Our country needs security, stability, freedom, peace, education, scientists, wise people and faithful leadership," Khursheed said.
"Our country is calling you to rescue him from drowning, will you answer him?" Khursheed asked, "Yes, you will. You will say 'Yes, we are here for you.'"
"It's a very historic day for Americans and Iraqis," said Lt. Col. Louis Long, A MiTT team leader with the Richmond, Va.-based 80th Institutional Training Division. Long's Military Transition Team (MiTT) is assigned to the 3rd IA Division's 1st Brigade.
"This is just one more step in allowing coalition forces to get out of Iraq completely," Long said, "It is a great day for Iraqis, allowing them to take control of their own country."
Long said that there will not be a big change in day-to-day operations because the Iraqi army brigade has already been conducting a significant amount of operations on their own. However, he said the impact will be in the mindset of the Iraqi soldiers.
"It is theirs now," Long said, referring to their area of responsibility, "There is a lot of personal pride that goes along with ownership."
Most recently, the brigade carried out validation operations (VALOPS) leading up to the transfer of authority ceremony.
First Brigade, 3rd IA commander, Brig. Gen. Muhsen said, through an interpreter, that his Soldiers not only captured targets during the VALOPS, they also distributed food and offered medical assistance to the Iraqi people in their AO.
He said the official ceremony validates what he and his Soldiers already know is true; that they are ready to stop insurgents in their AO.
"They've got experience, they finished their training, they are able to do missions," Muhsen said, referring to his Soldiers, "We are ready to fight the insurgents."
Giving a speech during the ceremony, Muhsen also made an oath to the Iraqi people on behalf of himself and his troops.
"We promise the people and the government to be loyal Soldiers and to secure the people and Iraq from insurgents," he said.
| Date Taken: |
11.08.2006 |
| Date Posted: |
12.07.2006 09:00 |
| Story ID: |
8507 |
| Location: |
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| Web Views: |
571 |
| Downloads: |
346 |
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