ARLINGTON, Va., - Today is the final day of the combat mission in Iraq, but Army National Guard members will remain on duty in the region providing stability operations in support of Operation New Dawn, Guard officials said today.
“We have drawn down our forces proportionately to the active duty, but that number will remain constant for FY11,” said Army Col. Ted Hildreth, the chief of operations here at the Army National Guard Readiness Center.
Less than 50,000 U.S. troops are now in Iraq, including about 5,000 from the Army Guard.
Four Army Guard units, the 36th Infantry Division from Texas, the 116th Brigade Combat Team from Idaho, the 197th Fires Brigade from New Hampshire and the 40th Cavalry Aviation Brigade from California, will rotate into theatre throughout the next fiscal year.
“Potentially, these could be the last remaining mobilizations of Army National Guard units to Iraq,” Hildreth said, adding that all American troops will be out of Iraq at the end of 2011.
The present timeline is clear, but it is only prudent to continue to plan for the necessary security requirements, Hildreth said.
“Nobody has a crystal ball on how the strategic dynamics of Iraq will change, however the Army National Guard … will continue to contribute forces when asked to,” he said. “When the nation calls, we will deliver a trained, ready and responsive force.”
As part of Operation New Dawn, the Army Guard and other U.S. forces will have three primary missions: advising, assisting and training Iraqi Security Forces; conducting counterterrorism operations and providing support to Provincial Reconstruction Teams.
Army Lt. Col Phillip Appleton, commander of the 3rd Combined Arms Battalion for the 116th Cavalry Brigade Combat Team, said his Soldiers will be responsible for convoy security.
“On the previous deployment, they were running … direct combat operations in country,” he said. “This time the unit is going more as a support force to the logistics community and ensuring the convoy is secure as they go up and down the main supply routes.”
Hildreth said the 36th Infantry Division will work in all facets of government, development and security in the south sector of Iraq.
“I think certainly the National Guard has demonstrated over time its ability … in both Afghanistan and Iraq,” he said. “(The combatant commander) benefits from those (civilian) skill sets they have. These Soldiers are adding value when they put the uniform on.”
A wave of attacks in Iraq last week demonstrates that al-Qaida is still capable of operating in the area, Central Command officials said.
“Even though combat operations have ended, doesn’t mean that the enemy has stopped trying to interdict or try to stop us from doing what we need to do to support the Iraq government as they continue to stand up and improve their ability to support the people of Iraq,” Appleton said.