http://www.djournal.com/pages/story....pub=1&div=News
Second base handed over to Iraqis
10/3/2005 1:08:00 AM
Daily Journal
By Jennifer Farish
Daily Journal Oxford Bureau
With their return home just a few months away, members of the 155th Brigade Combat Team successfully handed over security of another area of Iraq to local forces this past week.
Earlier this month, the brigade transferred control of the city of Najaf to Iraqi forces, and, this past week, the city of Karbala also was handed over to the Iraqi army and police, said Maj. Erby Montgomery, public affairs officer for the brigade.
The handover was marked by a special ceremony attended by Iraqi army and police commanders as well as representatives of the Iraqi government.
Members of the 114th Field Artillery Second Battalion have been working with the people of Karbala since mid-January and made great strides in providing security and infrastructure support for that area, Montgomery said.
Karbala, located just southwest of Baghdad, is one of the holiest cities in Muslim religion and has a large tourism industry related to holy landmarks.
While stationed there, the 114th Field Artillery completed 68 projects totaling $21.5 million to improve the city and help boost its tourism income. Projects included work to the water and sewer systems, assistance to local schools, electrical infrastructure, as well as medical and humanitarian aid.
The base where the soldiers lived is now the property of the city of Karbala, and officials there will be able to decide how to best use the property.
Meanwhile, soldiers who were stationed at that base have been relocated to others throughout the 155th Brigade Combat Team's area of operations in the region just south of Baghdad.