The 4th Battalion, 17th Iraqi Army Brigade was welcomed aboard JBB by U.S. service members with a ribbon cutting ceremony and words of encouragement, Aug. 16.

“We are thankful for everything the United States has done for our country,” said Iraqi Lt. Gen. Rashid Flayah Muhammad Al-Halifi, Iraqi Samarra Operations Center commander. “We are willing and prepared to take on the responsibility of providing security for Iraq. This is a happy day for the people of Iraq and our U.S. partners.”

The 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing, Army 103rd Expeditionary Sustainment Command and the Army 2-11 Field Artillery Regiment has worked as part of a joint team with other organizations across JBB to designate and repair buildings, build security fencing and gates, provide fuel points, and establish communication and access procedures, said Col. Michael Myers, 332 EMSG commander.

"Together, we have brought this Iraqi Army unit side-by-side with us on to JBB,” he said. “We celebrate every step on the journey to return custody of this base to the Iraqis, and we're proud of our Airmen and Soldiers for all they have done to make this major step possible."

This IA Brigade will be the first of several Iraqi military units to headquarter at JBB, continuing the transition to Iraqi Security Forces taking the lead as U.S. forces head to smaller operating locations or exit the country entirely.

“This is another level of partnership and the first step of many steps leading up to the turnover of this base to the Government of Iraq as United States forces withdraw by Dec. 31, 2011,” said Maj. Gen. Craig Franklin, 332 AEW commander.

With many American service members soon leaving Iraq, Franklin is confident the ISF is ready to provide security and stability for the Iraqi people.

“The Iraqi Security Forces have proven to the world to be extremely capable and professional as they provide security for the Iraqi people,” said Franklin, a native of Chicago, Ill. “The 17 Iraqi Army Brigade of the Iraqi Army demonstrates this daily in the Salah-ad-Din province. This event symbolizes our enduring friendship and that first step of many for the eventual transfer of JBB back to the Government of Iraq. We are proud to serve side-by-side with the 4th Battalion of the 17th Brigade of the Iraqi Army.”

The Iraqi unit will be working with Army Task Force 2-11 which serves in partnered operations to advise, train and assist the IA.

“Our focus in all our efforts is to develop the Iraqi Army's capacity in order to better enable them to conduct counter-terrorism operations and provide security for the Iraqi people," said Maj. Mark Sherkey, 2-11 FAR Battalion executive officer.