103rd Expeditionary Sustainment Command
Story by Pfc. Emily Walter
08.18.2010 JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq — The 17th Brigade of the Iraqi Army hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony, Aug. 16, for the newly constructed IA compound on Joint Base Balad, commemorating the first official step in the return of the al Bakr Air Base to the control of the Government of Iraq.
Al Bakr Air Base, as JBB was formerly labeled, was first named after Ahmed Hassan al Bakr, the president of Iraq from 1968 to 1979, and it was widely considered to be the most important airfield of the Iraqi air force. Currently, JBB is one of the largest U.S. military bases in Iraq, and serves as the central logistical hub for forces in Iraq. It is also one of the busiest air bases in the world operated by the U.S. Department of Defense.
The ribbon-cutting event celebrated
“Today’s ceremony marks a truly historic moment,” said Franklin. “The Iraqi security forces have proven to the world to be capable of protecting the Iraqi people. [The ceremony] is a symbol of our enduring friendship.”
Iraqi army Lt. Gen. Rashid Flayah, commander of the Samarra Operations Center, also spoke at the event.
“The Iraqi people are pleased to receive lands from the American Army,” said Flayah. “We have proven to the people that we are against terrorism … This is a happy day for us and the security forces.”
The opening of the IA compound on JBB is part of the larger effort to empower the Iraqi people, and represents an important step in establishing a stable, sovereign and self-reliant Iraq.
Approximately 400 bases have been closed or turned over to the Government of Iraq since January 2008. While the transfer-of-authority of the post is only one facet of the responsible drawdown of forces and equipment from Iraq, it is a significant milestone that helps prove that the U.S. forces can expect to meet the current drawdown deadline.
“[The ceremony] is important because it is a significant indication of where we are in the entire drawdown process,” said Ben Fluhart, the team leader of the Provincial Reconstruction Team on JBB, and an Annapolis, Md., native.
“As a representative of the government, I am extremely pleased we’re seeing the Iraqi army move onto this base,” said Fluhart. “It took a lot of hard work to get to this point.”
Coordination for the ribbon-cutting ceremony was a combined effort between the Army, Air Force, the IA and the PRT. The 2nd Battalion, 11th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Brigade, 25th Infantry Division, has partnerships within the SOC and the 17th Inf. Bde., IA, and the unit will continue to be involved with the 17th Inf. Bde. as they continue to move onto JBB. The 2/11th FA also assisted the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing as they constructed the IA compound. The PRT provided input on protocol, and worked to bring civilian guests from the Government of Iraq to the ceremony, said Fluhart.
The ceremony symbolized that U.S. forces embrace their partnership with the Iraqis, and that they will work to continue to build this relationship, said Maj. Mark Sherkey, the executive officer of the 2/11th FA, and an Eastern Shore, Va., native. It also symbolizes that the ISF are capable of providing security for the GoI and for the Iraqi people, he added.
“We have the Air Force, Army, Department of State and the Iraqis all working together to establish a partnership,” said Sherkey. “We welcome that.”
More importantly, the event helps prove that the ISF has the capacity to maintain a legitimate, stable government when the U.S. forces leave, Fluhart added.
“The Iraqi security forces have proven to the world to be capable of protecting the Iraqi people,” said Franklin at the conclusion of his speech. “And this [event] symbolizes our enduring friendship.”
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