Posted on 06/07/2006 5:40:17 PM PDT by SandRat
CAMP HABBINYAH, Iraq, June 7, 2006 — The 1st Iraqi Army Division officially assumed control of territory in the vicinity of Habbaniyah, June 2. In a ceremony with the U.S. Army's 1st Battalion, 110th Infantry Regiment, the 1st Iraqi Army has taken the lead and will operate in the area. The Iraqi unit is now responsible for planning and executing their own operations in Habbaniyah, Iraq, located between the cities of Fallujah and Ramadi.
"Working side by side with the Iraqi Army was a great experience for my soldiers. This transfer is another step to a free Iraq."
U.S. Army Lt. Col. Loris Lepri
It was the first division-level transfer of territory in al Anbar province. Four Iraqi brigades and nine Iraqi battalions are also assigned territory in the province.
"This is a very happy day, and we congratulate our great
soldiers," said Iraqi Brig. Gen. Beha'a Hussein Abed Hassen, deputy commanding general of the 1st Iraqi Army Division.
The Iraqi unit will continue to work with coalition military transition teams in the area. Military transition teams teams are responsible for training and mentoring Iraqi divisions, brigades and battalions with the ultimate goal of transferring complete control to the Iraqi units.
"Working side by side with the Iraqi Army was a great experience for my soldiers," said U.S. Army Lt. Col. Loris Lepri, commanding officer of 1st Battalion, 110th Infantry Regiment. "This transfer is another step to a free Iraq."
Coalition forces for the time being will still provide the Iraqi division with assets such as medical evacuation and fire support.
In addition to Habbaniyah, the 1st Iraqi Army Division has units in Ramadi, Fallujah and the surrounding communities.
NICE! The left is gonna hate this.
oohraahh
whadduyamean? The left will never know about it because the media will never say anything about it.
Another inconvenient truth.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.