NEWS

WIRES

OTHER

Iraqi Army Takes Over PB Razor

By Sgt. Tony White

Local Iraqi army forces assumed control of Patrol Base Razor from Coalition Forces on Dec. 15.

The 4th Company, 2nd Battalion, 1st Brigade, 4th Iraqi Army, took responsibility for the patrol base from the 2nd Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment (PIR).

The transfer of authority indicates the readiness of the Iraqi army to take the lead in the Samarra area, said Maj. Brian Flood, 2-505th PIR executive officer.

"It allows them to show they are capable of providing security for the citizens of Samarra and its surrounding villages, Flood said.

"It's a positive step in the right direction for the long-term security for this part of Iraq," he continued. "The Iraqi army is the future and is the security answer here."

According to Flood, the Iraqi army will use the patrol base very much in the same fashion as the Coalition Forces.

"(The Iraqi army) will use it to secure the bridge leading into Samarra and as a forward operating position to secure and patrol the (surrounding) towns," Flood said.

Strategically located outside of Samarra, Razor has been a key installation since its establishment in early 2004 because it guards the only land bridge into Samarra from the west.

"The 4th Company, 2nd Battalion, 1st Brigade, 4th Iraqi Army is quite frankly one of the better Iraqi companies we have worked with," Flood said. "When we took over with our RIP/TOA (relief in place/transfer of authority) process they came with a great reputation. They have been operating around Patrol Base Razor, partnered with the company (in charge of the patrol base) for quite some time. I think this is a positive step and I think they are going to do a good job."