Posted on 01/01/2010 2:45:15 PM PST by SandRat
Friday, 01 January 2010 17:32
BAGHDAD – Multi-National Security Transition Command –Iraq held its final ceremony on Phoenix Base here, Dec 31.
Lt. Gen. Michael D. Barbero, the final MNSTC-I commander, recognized the command’s contributions to a safer, more secure Iraq since 2004 to an audience of distinguished Iraqi officials, U.S. servicemembers and civilians.
Among the honored guests were Minister of Defense Secretary Salih Sarhan, Mr. Al Husseini, senior advisor to Defense and Security Council Chairman Hadi Al Ameri, and Lt. Gen. Al Awadi, Federal Police commissioner.
Army Gen. David Petraeus was the first MNSTC-I commander when it activated June 28, 2004. Barbero and each of the five commanders before him witnessed the Iraqi security forces’ evolution from an ill-equipped and poorly-trained organization to a streamlined and professional security force.
“This ceremony is an opportunity to remember we did this together,” Barbero said about the partnerships and relationships among Iraq, the U.S. and other nations who worked with MNSTC-I.
Barbero commended the hard work and sacrifices of the countless Iraqis, U.S. servicemembers and civilians who accomplished so much under tremendously difficult circumstances.
“We built a proud and capable security force of over 650,000 strong. A force that today is well-led, trained, professional and dedicated to protecting their countrymen and a democratic Iraq,” said Barbero.
As the new United States Forces – Iraq, Deputy Commanding General for Advising and Training, Barbero’s duties remain essentially the same, to train and equip the Iraq security forces and ministries. Although the name is changing the transition will be largely transparent to the majority of former MNSTC-I personnel.
“We cannot rest,” said Barbero. “The tasks we face in the future are no less important than the ones we faced in 2004.”
The activation of USF-I is part of the evolution of the responsible draw down of U.S. forces as they prepare to reduce the number of troops in Iraq to 50,000 by Aug. 31, 2010 as stipulated in the security agreement.
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.