FOB HAMMER — The 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, handed authority of Combat Outpost Cleary to Soldiers of the 4th Battalion, 34th Brigade, 9th Iraqi Army Division in a ceremony at the outpost near Salman Pak, Sept. 9.
Iraqi Soldiers celebrated with song and dance after raising the Iraqi flag, which signified Iraqi authority over the outpost.
A large contingent of Iraqi media attended the event, along with a large crowd of Soldiers and leaders of the 9th IA Div., local sheiks and local government leaders.
The transfer of COP Cleary illustrates the progress of Iraqi security forces and improved security in the area. Violent attacks against CF and ISF dropped to an average of less than one attack per day – in large part due to the actions of the ISF and Sons of Iraq.
The transition to the IA emphasizes the transformation of the area. The IA now conducts the security operations in the area, has proven their skills and demonstrated their ability to defend the Iraqi people, keeping the area free of extremist forces.
Maj. Gen. Qassim, commander of the 9th IA Div., addressed the IA Soldiers during the ceremony about the importance of the ISF taking an ever greater lead in providing security for Iraq.
(By Pfc. Michael Schuch, 1st Armored Division Public Affairs)