The Australian army, along with some British troops, signed over its operating base in Al Muthanna province here Wednesday to Iraqi security forces.

Al Muthanna Task Group 3, now known as Overwatch Battle Group West, left Camp Smitty to begin its new role in Iraq based out of Camp Terendak, in Tallil, located in neighboring Dhi Qar province.

“The (Iraqi) Soldiers were trained to the high standard of Level 1 – the first Iraqi Army units to reach this level,” said Australian Lt. Col. Michael Mahy, commander of the task group.

“In conjunction with other Iraqi security forces, these Soldiers will now assume responsibility for security in the province,” he said.

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Over the past few weeks I have noticed more and more stories like this where coalition forces are turning over their bases to the Iraqi security forces. I guess this is also the reason why we can send a few thousand forces from around Iraq to Baghdad for additional capital security.

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