Posted on 01/11/2010 4:13:30 PM PST by SandRat
BASRAH — U.S. military leaders here returned camps Hutch and Area 51 (No.. not that Area 51), located within the Shaibah Training Center, to the Government of Iraq, Jan. 9.
The 14th Iraqi Army Division and the Department of Border Enforcement's 51st Brigade will continue to use the facilities as American forces draw down.
"The handover highlights Iraq's growing confidence, capacity and capability to provide a stable and self-reliant country," said Lt. Col. Charles Roede, 17th Fires Brigade executive officer and the senior U.S. leader of the day's events.
"The base returns do not mean we are ending our partnership with Iraqis," Roede stated. "It just means U.S. partners will not be living and working with their Iraqi counterparts 24/7."
As U.S. forces pulled out, they transferred tents and other life-support property to the IA at Camp Hutch. However, American military trainers and a battery of Soldiers from 1st Battalion (Air Assault), 377th Field Artillery Regiment, 17th Fires Brigade will remain as tenants of Area 51 until Feb. 10.
According to Maj. Jon Dyer, 17th FB engineer and brigade coordinator of the camp returns for the task force, these are just two of nine scheduled returns early this year.
The handovers provide physical proof of the progress made by American forces to adhere to the Iraqi security agreement to withdrawal U.S. combat forces from Iraqi cities, villages and localities.
"The returns serve as visible proof of the U.S. government abiding by the security agreement," Roede said. He added that these are the first of many closures under Task Force Thunderbolt. Four camps were handed back to the GoI under 2nd Infantry Division.
According to a Department of Defense press release, more than 150 U.S. bases have been closed or returned to the GoI since January 2008. U.S. troop strength has decreased to 131,000 from a high of 165,574 in September 2007. Additionally, more than $15 million in property has been transferred to the GoI.
Under the agreement, the U.S. will continue to reduce both the number of bases and combat forces through the end of 2011.
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