SOUTHWEST ASIA –
Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve (CJTF-OIR) conducted a ceremony with Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) to transfer the Coalition area of Al Taqaddum Air Base (TQ), Iraq, April 4, 2020.
Due to Iraqi Security Forces' success in the campaign against Daesh, the Coalition is adjusting its positioning in Iraq. These military movements are long-planned in coordination with the Government of Iraq. These pre-planned base transfers are not related to recent attacks against Iraqi bases hosting Coalition troops, or the ongoing COVID-19 situation in Iraq.
"The transfer of Taqaddum (Habbaniya) air base is another step forward in the ongoing partnership between Iraqi Security Forces and the anti-ISIS international military Coalition," said Brig. Gen. Vincent Barker, CJTF-OIR director of sustainment. “Over the last month we have transferred four bases to full ISF control. This wouldn’t be possible without the ISF’s proven capability to bring the fight to ISIS. The Coalition will continue to support our partners against the evils of Daesh.”
Since 2015, TQ has hosted U.S. and other Coalition forces who trained Iraqi Security Forces and acted as advisors in the Iraqi operations center in support of the fight against ISIS. TQ was primarily operated by U.S. Marines but also hosted Italian, Canadian, and Spanish forces. In early 2016, Coalition advisors supported the Iraqi Army in its recapture of Ramadi and Fallujah from ISIS control.
CJTF-OIR will relocate and consolidate personnel and equipment from several Iraqi bases throughout 2020. The ISF increasingly conducts independent operations in the fight against Daesh and the defense of their homeland including the 2020 “Heroes of Iraq” and 2019’s “Will of Victory” campaigns. CJTF-OIR remains in Iraq at the invitation of the Government of Iraq and continues anti-ISIS advising. Currently, training operations are temporarily paused due to COVID-19 precautions. The Coalition will operate from fewer locations, but remains committed to supporting our partners in their fight against Daesh.
Coalition troops will depart TQ after the completion of equipment transfers to the ISF, in the coming days.
Imagery:
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U.S. Marines with 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, assigned to the Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force – Crisis Response – Central Command (SPMAGTF-CR-CC) 19.2, prepare their gear for departure in support of the transfer of Al-Taqaddum, Iraq, Mar. 24, 2020. The SPMAGTF-CR-CC is a crisis response force and executes force provision as tasked, throughout the US Central Command area of operation. The Coalition is adjusting its positioning in Iraq as part of long-planned adjustments to the force, due to Iraqi Security Forces' success in the campaign against Daesh. The Coalition's military movements are conducted in coordination with the Government of Iraq. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Robert G. Gavaldon)
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U.S. Marines assigned to Task Force Anbar conduct a key leader engagement with Staff Major General Nassir, Commander of the Anbar Operations Center, and his staff during transfer process of Al-Taqaddum, Iraq, Mar. 25, 2020. The SPMAGTF-CR-CC is a crisis response force and executes force provision as tasked, throughout the US Central Command area of operation. The Coalition is adjusting its positioning in Iraq as part of long-planned adjustments to the force, due to Iraqi Security Forces' success in the campaign against Daesh. The Coalition's military movements are conducted in coordination with the Government of Iraq. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Robert G. Gavaldon)
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A sign lies on the ground stating the location of Camp Manion, a Joint Force Base in Al-Taqaddum, Iraq, on Mar. 27, 2020. The SPMAGTF-CR-CC is a crisis response force and executes force provision as tasked, throughout the US Central Command area of operation. The Coalition is adjusting its positioning in Iraq as part of long-planned adjustments to the force, due to Iraqi Security Forces' success in the campaign against Daesh. The Coalition's military movements are conducted in coordination with the Government of Iraq. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Robert G. Gavaldon)
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A U.S. Marine Corps KC-130J Super Hercules, attached to Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force – Crisis Response – Central Command (SPMAGTF-CR-CC) 19.2, transports equipment in support of the transfer of Al-Taqaddum, Iraq, Mar. 26, 2020. The SPMAGTF-CR-CC is a crisis response force and executes force provision as tasked, throughout the US Central Command area of operation. The Coalition is adjusting its positioning in Iraq as part of long-planned adjustments to the force, due to Iraqi Security Forces' success in the campaign against Daesh. The Coalition's military movements are conducted in coordination with the Government of Iraq. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Robert G. Gavaldon)
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A U.S. Marine assigned to the Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force – Crisis Response – Central Command (SPMAGTF-CR-CC) 19.2, uses a Millennia Military Vehicle (MMV) to breakdown equipment in preparation for the transfer of a base at Al-Taqaddum, Iraq, Mar. 30, 2020. The SPMAGTF-CR-CC is a crisis response force and executes force provision as tasked, throughout the U.S. Central Command area of operation. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Robert G. Gavaldon)
To see the press release in Arabic: CJTF-OIR Press Release 20200404-01- TQ TRANSFER- النسخة العربية
To see TQ Air Base fact sheet in English: TQ Fact Sheet
To see TQ Air Base fact sheet in Arabic: TQ Fact Sheet- النسخة العربية
To see TQ Air Base photos and captions in English: TQ Photos
To see TQ Air Base photos and captions in Arabic: TQ Photos-النسخة العربية
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