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V CORPS' TASK FORCE 1-37 ARMOR RETURNS JAMILLA POWER STATION TO IRAQI CONTROL

V Corps Release

Release Date: 11/12/2003

By Capt. Noel Gorospe 1st Battalion, 37th Armor Regiment

BAGHDAD, Iraq -- V Corps forces placed more of Iraq's destiny back into the hands of its people when the corps' Task Force 1-37 Armor returned control of the Jamilla Power Station to Iraq's Ministry of Electricity.

The 1-37 "Bandits," an element of 1st Armored Division, marked the return to Iraqi control with a transfer of authority ceremony at the station in the Al-Beida area of Baghdad.

Lt. Col. Garry P. Bishop made the official transfer from U.S. control to the ministry.

"I am proud to stand before you today at such a monumental moment for the citizens of Iraq and the Al-Beida neighborhood," Bishop said. "Today is a landmark day in the continued furthering of security in Iraq. Today is a testament to the long-standing partnership of Iraqi citizens and coalition forces to continue our resolve to restore peace and stability to your great nation and the wonderful citizens of Al-Beida."

Ayaad Toama, a neighborhood advisory council member for the Al-Beida area, also spoke at the ceremony, and praised the coalition's efforts in helping improve conditions in Iraq.

"I thank the coalition forces for their continued security and support of this facility, for without them we would not be here today," Toama said.

In a move that symbolized the opening of a new chapter in Iraq's history, the unity of Iraqis and coalition members and the official transfer of authority, Bishop and Toama cut a yellow ribbon together.

"Today, Al-Beida and its surrounding communities enjoy electrical power, fostering renewed hope of the neighborhood," Bishop concluded in the ceremony's closing remarks. "Now, streetlights offer a sense of security (and) televisions, radios and other electrical equipment are now more operable than ever before. This renewed sense of security and vast availability of electricity in the Al-Beida community inculcates a new sense of Iraqi freedom."