Troops prepare to turn over FOB Iskan

[unhappycamper]

Pfc. Christopher Trumbull, assigned to the 172nd Support Battalion, secures a cargo container for transport during a late-night convoy early Tuesday morning at Forward Operating Base Iskan. U.S. forces will turn the FOB over to the Iraqi Ministry of Electricity within the month. The 172nd Support Battalion is deployed from Schweinfurt, Germany.


Troops prepare to turn over FOB Iskan
By Steve Mraz, Stars and Stripes
Mideast edition, Friday, February 13, 2009

ISKANDARIYAH, Iraq — A longtime U.S. forward operating base will soon be handed over to the Iraqis, continuing a transition toward greater Iraqi control across the nation.

Forward Operating Base Iskan was once home to more than a battalion-sized element of American soldiers. Within the month, U.S. forces will turn over the base to the Iraqi Ministry of Electricity. Iraqi army soldiers could be stationed at the base as well.

"The security program is basically working," said Maj. Mike Swienton, an engineer with the 172nd Infantry Brigade. "We’re reconfiguring our area of operations and putting the Iraqi face forward."

Earlier this week, soldiers with the 172nd Support Battalion traveled to FOB Iskan to pick up vehicles and cargo containers as the U.S. military leaves the facility.

"Right now, we’re retrograding all the equipment for the FOB closure," said Staff Sgt. Shawn Goodsell of Company A, 172nd Support Battalion, out of Schweinfurt, Germany. "We’re just hoping to get them all cleared out."


Rest of article at: http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=60674



uhc comment: I wonder if we're also going to turn over the 14(?) permanent military bases before we leave.