AN NUMANIYAH, Iraq – The Iraqi flag was raised over the newly refurbished and rebuilt forward training base Sept. 1 in a ceremony on the station's parade grounds signaling an end to the roughly $165-million Coalition project.

The opening coincides with the arrival of the Iraqi Intervention Force's 3rd Battalion recruits who join two other battalions currently training at the base. An Numaniyah will serve as the Iraqi army's 2nd Brigade headquarters.

“The flag is the motto of our country,” 5th Division Commander, Brig. Gen. Ahmed, said addressing the assembled soldiers and dignitaries. “It is a symbol of our country,” he said.

“Our country suffers from maladies, stagnation, and many problems,” Ahmed said. “But this base is a step toward rebuilding our nation,” he said.

Since renovation began early this year Coalition efforts have included work on existing buildings – mostly shells without windows, electricity, and septic systems – and also the addition of new structures, sewers, electricity, air conditioning, security, and various other projects on the base.

Located roughly 90 miles southeast of Baghdad in the Wasit Province, the base was under construction by Yugoslavian contractors for the former regime. It will now operate as a training base for new recruits and serve as the home station for three battalions of the Iraqi Intervention Force – the Iraqi army's counterinsurgency wing.

“The new buildings and the work of the Coalition team here is remarkable,” said Kudayir (surnames withheld for security reasons), a local school teacher, here, employed also as a translator at the base. “And the base causes a good purpose here because it provides jobs. It provides something for the population,” he said.

“All this is a miracle really,” Kudayir said referring to the impact the local base has had on the local economy. In addition to serving as a much needed training base for the Iraqi armed forces, the base employs roughly 2,000 workers from the surrounding areas.

Kudayir also pointed out other positive impacts the base project has had on the community. The Coalition team, assisting the Iraqis to stand up their new base, employed local citizens in many critical community projects including school construction and refurbishments, medical assistance, water and various other projects.

“The role of the Iraqi army is to protect the country and its people,” Ahmed said. “Cooperation between the civilians and the army to do their best is important in order to build their country because the army serves the people.”

Joining bases in Al Kasik, Kirkuk, Taji, and Kurkush, An Numaniyah may also – finances depending – include base housing for soldiers' families to join personnel serving at the post. Two base dining facilities which will be able to feed 3,000 soldiers each will be complete in the coming months. An Iraqi Police Services regiment is also tentatively slated to commence special military operations in urban terrain training – counterinsurgency instruction – with the arrival of a officer class toward the end of September. Currently the garrisoned and training force tally 2,500 soldiers.

“It is an honor to stand before you,” 2nd Brigade Commander Brig. Gen. Kadum Khalid said, finishing the ceremony. “On behalf of the Iraqi Intervention Force soldiers and the country of Iraq, I assume responsibility for this base.

“It's another step toward reaffirming our full sovereignty,” Khalid said. “I wish that our flag will stand up high over all of Iraq. Words cannot express our feelings at seeing the Iraqi flag flying in the wind.”