Iraqi Government Once Again Controls Haditha Dam!
Major Gen. Martin Post, deputy commanding general for Multi-National Force-West, signed over the dam Dec. 3 to Iraqi government officials and thereby capped the turnover of dam operations and security.
Al-Kumanji Mawafek Mohammed, director of real estate, and several other members of the Iraqi government, along with representatives from the Iraqi Police and Iraqi Army, attended on behalf of the Iraqi government to sign the final paperwork.
“I just want to say thank you to all of the Marines who have been here over the years and say how much (Coalition Forces) appreciated the leadership of the gentlemen who have been here the entire time running this facility and coordinating with the Marines and Coalition forces. They have done just a wonderful job during tough times to keep this facility up and running,” said Maj. Gen. Post.
Coalition forces have been responsible for the dam since 2003, and during that time the dam housed thousands of military personnel.
“The dam was a piece of key terrain because of its position on the river and also because it provides around one-third of Iraq’s electricity,” said Master Sgt. Joe Lopez, 36, from Chicago, who is the staff non commissioned officer in charge of the Haditha Dam Mayors Cell, RCT 5. “Our presence here has also acted as a deterrent for people trying to smuggle things down the river.”
The turnover of the dam comes as little surprise as Coalition forces continue to assume an overwatch role and the Iraqis continue to take control of security throughout the country.
“While the Marines and Coalition forces occupied the dam, we were only able to send workers in for the day shift,” said Hassan Yahyah Hassan, who is a representative for the ministry of electricity as well as the overall director of the Dam. “The removal of Coalition forces will facilitate the technical crew’s movement within the dam. We only have around 100 personnel, but now we will be able to fill three shifts that will employ 460 personnel and will keep the dam running 24-hours a day.”
Security for the facility, once a responsibility of Coalition forces, is now in the hands of the Iraqi Army and the police. The turnover of responsibility is a huge step for Iraqis and military members alike because it signified the increasing self-sufficiency of Iraq.
“We are leaving, but we are willing and prepared to support the Iraq Army and other security elements if they need us,” said Maj. Gen. Post.
HADITHA DAM, Iraq-Hassan Yahyah Hassan, who is a representative for the
ministry of electricity as well as the overall director of the Haditha
Dam, signs the last bit of paperwork to officially turn the structure
over from the Coalition forces to the Government of Iraq Dec 3. The dam
security is being taken over by Iraqi Army and police. The Haditha Dam
provides approximately one-third of Iraq's electricity., Lance Cpl. Paul Torres, 12/3/2008 5:39 AM
HADITHA DAM, Iraq-Major Gen. Martin Post, deputy commanding general for
Multi-National Force-West, and Al-Kumanji Mawafek Mohammed, director of
real estate, and several other members of the Iraqi government, arrive
at the Haditha Dam to officially turnover the structure to the Iraqi
government Dec 3. The Haditha Dam has served as a home for Coalition
forces for the past five years., Lance Cpl. Paul Torres, 12/3/2008 4:53 AM
On Dec. 3, Coalition forces recognized the hard work and efforts made by soldiers from the 1st Azerbaijani Peacekeeping Company during the past year, for their mission in Iraq is over and the soldiers will be returning home soon.
Azerbaijan is a small country located on the western shore of the Caspian Sea, north of Iran. Azerbaijan was once part of the Soviet Republic, but declared its independence in 1991. The country is approximately 33,000 square miles and has a population of over 8 million.
Though Azerbaijan may not be well known by most Americans, the work they have done in Iraq for the past five years deserves special recognition worldwide.
“The Azerbaijanis provided security for an absolutely vital piece of infrastructure in the al-Anbar province, the Haditha Dam, which produces an excess of 25 percent of the entire power grid for the country of Iraq,” said Col. Patrick J. Malay, commanding officer of Camp Pendleton-based Regimental Combat Team 5, whose area of operation includes the Haditha Dam.
The first company of Azerbaijanis soldiers arrived to Iraq on Aug. 15, 2003 and was assigned to provide security for the Haditha Dam. With 11 rotations and more than 1,000 troops, the Azerbaijanis remained a constant presence at the dam, which incurred no large-scale attacks during their time there. While at the dam, the Azerbaijanis manned all of the exterior checkpoints, searched the 630 dam employees daily, escorted the employees to shared areas of the dam and scanned the waters of Lake Qadisiyah to the north and the Euphrates River to the south for insurgent activity.
Throughout al-Anbar province, Iraqi Security Forces have steadily increased taking control of areas previously controlled by Coalition forces: the Haditha Dam is no exception.
“The victory story about the Azerbaijanis is that peace is breaking out in al-Anbar. Peace is breaking out in Iraq, and the Iraqi Security Forces, in this case the Iraqi Army, are taking control of the dam,” said Malay, who is from Buffalo, N.Y.
During the ceremony to recognize their efforts, the Azerbaijanis proudly marched into formation and sang the Azerbaijan National Anthem. After comments by Maj. Gen. Michael Ferriter, deputy commanding general for operations, Multi-National Corps – Iraq, the Azerbaijanis were presented with several gifts for their service in Iraq.
“This is a historic day for the nation of Iraq and the nation of Azerbaijan, but it’s a bittersweet day in the sense that we must say farewell to our partners in the Coalition,” said Maj. Gen. Ferriter during the ceremony.
For the final part of the ceremony, the Azerbaijanis cased the Azerbaijani flag, symbolizing the completion of their tour in Iraq. The company will soon return home, but they will leave with confidence that the ISF will continue to provide outstanding security for the Haditha Dam.
“Coalition forces are no longer on the front lines: we’re standing back, and we have a great deal of pride in what Iraqi Security Forces are doing on the front lines of this security fight,” said Maj. Gen. John Kelly, commanding general, Multi-National Forces – West.
CAMP RIPPER, Iraq-Soldiers with the 1st Azerbaijani Peacekeeping
Company stand in formation during a ceremony at Camp Ripper, Al Asad
Airbase, Iraq, Dec. 3. During the ceremony, Coalition forces recognized
the hard work and dedication that Azerbaijani soldiers have contributed
while serving in Iraq. For the past five years, Azerbaijani soldiers
have provided security at the Haditha Dam, which produces over 25
percent of Iraqâs electrical power. Iraqi Security Forces will now
provide security at the dam, and the Azerbaijanis will soon return home., Gunnery Sgt. Jason Bortz, 12/3/2008 12:33 PM
CAMP RIPPER, Iraq-Soldiers with the 1st Azerbaijani Peacekeeping
Company pose for a photograph after a ceremony at Camp Ripper, Al Asad
Airbase, Iraq, Dec. 3, to recognize the efforts made by the Azerbaijani
soldiers. Azerbaijani soldiers have been providing security at the
Haditha Dam since 2003 and will soon be returning home after turning
over security of the dam to Iraqi Security Forces. Azerbaijan is a
small country near the Caspian Sea that is approximately the size of
South Carolina., Gunnery Sgt. Jason Bortz, 12/3/2008 1:00 PM
CAMP RIPPER, Iraq-Soldiers with the 1st Azerbaijani Peacekeeping
Company stand in formation during a ceremony at Camp Ripper, Al Asad
Airbase, Iraq, Dec. 3. During the ceremony, Coalition forces recognized
the hard work and dedication that the Azerbaijani soldiers have done
while serving in Iraq. For the past five years, Azerbaijani soldiers
have provided security at the Haditha Dam, which produces over 25
percent of Iraqi's electrical power. Iraqi Security Forces will now
provide security at the dam, and the Azerbaijanis will soon return home., Gunnery Sgt. Jason Bortz,
12/3/2008 12:32 PM
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