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Transfer of authority to build new
Iraq
CAMP VICTORY, IRAQ, -- Military leaders from around the world
converged near Baghdad to watch Lt. Gen. Thomas Metz, III Corps and
Fort Hood, Texas, commander, relinquish command of the Multi-National
Corps-Iraq to Lt. Gen. John R. Vines, XVIII Airborne Corps and Fort
Bragg, N.C. commander, during a transfer of authority ceremony Feb. 10
at Camp Victory's Al-Faw Palace.
Vines and the XVIII Abn. Corps have been working with
Metz and III Corps for the past few weeks preparing for the
transition, and both teams agree it has gone smoothly.
Gen. George Casey, Multi-National Force-Iraq commander,
also attended the ceremony and said, "There is never a good time
to make a change of this magnitude, but right on the tail of a
watershed historical event, is not a bad time either.
"This transfer of authority is the first in a year of
critical transitions for Iraq," he said.
Other transfers will include the transfer from
the interim Iraqi government to the Iraqi transitional government, the
drafting and adopting of and Iraqi constitution and the elections for
a constitutionally elected Iraqi Government, which will take place at
the end of 2005.
The year will also see the transfer of the
counter-insurgency campaign to Iraqi security forces, who have been
preparing to become more independent in fighting the anti-Iraqi
forces.
"Now let there be no mistake about it, each of these
transitions and the coalition's role in them is singularly focused on
helping Iraq secure the liberty it gained on the 28th of June and that
it cemented on the 30th of January," Casey said.
"All of these transitions will be in some way dependant
upon the great XVIII Airborne Corps team that General Vines has
built," he said. "We welcome the Corps and it's associated units, and
we wish them all the best in the year ahead. The future of Iraq and
America's significant national interests here rest squarely with J.R.
Vines and his team. And I am confident they are up to the task."
Casey said part of what gives him so much confidence in
the XVIII Abn. Corps is what he has seen III Corps accomplish in the
last year.
"Members of the Phantom Corps, you have made an
incredible difference here in Iraq over the past year, and it
culminated in the elections on the 30th of January."
While passing the torch to Vines, Metz said he is proud
of the job his Soldiers did in Iraq and he has confidence the XVII Abn.
Corps will continue the mission successfully.
Metz said he is departing with more confidence than
ever that a "free prosperous Iraq that lives by the rule of law and
does not harbor terrorists" is in the very near future.
"There are few people wearing the uniform who have
personally done more for the Global War on Terrorism than you," Metz
said to Vines, "and there is no other commander to whom I would rather
have given the colors to."
"Thank you for the truly superbly prepared troops," he
said to Vines. "They are truly focused and ready. And thanks ahead of
time for the successes you will have in Operation Iraqi Freedom."
Vines said he has been watching with professional admiration as III
Corps and coalition forces battled their way toward a free Iraq and
said the mission was a "masterpiece of tactical excellence."
"I watched General Tom Metz, who was an absolute
textbook example of leadership under pressure," he said. "He never
lost sight of his objective, which was to give the citizens of Iraq
the opportunity to choose their own destiny and it was absolutely
brilliant.
"As General Metz, the Phantom Corps and other members
of the great coalition --represented by many nations and all our
services who passed those colors tonight -- head back to your home
countries for a well-deserved rest, go with the knowledge that you
have done something great and noble," Vines said. "Go with the
knowledge that the citizens of Iraq admire and appreciate what you
have done for them. And on behalf of the coalition and the citizens of
their nations, I say 'Thank you. Well done.'"
For more information concerning this
release contact MNC-I Public Affairs.
billy.buckner@iraq.centcom.mil
Release #A050211e |
