Last US Combat Brigade Leaves Iraq

Iraqi soldiers man a checkpoint in Baghdad on August 19, after the last US combat brigade pulled out of Iraq. (Ali Al-Saadi/Getty Images )

The last U.S. combat brigade in Iraq crossed the Kuwait-Iraq border at 6 a.m., local time, on August 19. After more than seven years, Operation Iraqi Freedom will officially come to an end on August 31, and Operation New Dawn will begin.

“We’re going to transition from combat operations to stability operations, and we’re doing that as we’re drawing down our forces right now to 50,000 by 1, September,” said Major Gen. Stephen Lanza, spokesman for U.S. Forces Iraq, on the Pentagon Channel.

“With that brigade that just left, we’re roughly under 56,000 right now,” Lanza said.

The 1,800 soldiers of the 4th Stryker Brigade, Second Infantry Division will spend the next few days packing equipment, and preparing for their flight home to the United States.

During the two-day drive from Baghdad to the Kuwaiti border, the soldiers kept an eye out for roadside bombs. “The team made it without having to deal with any attacks, a major improvement from veteran combat engineers’ experiences during earlier rotations,” said the American Forces Press Service (AFPS).

The region is still not completely secure though. A suicide bomber killed 59 people earlier this week at a Baghdad army recruitment center, marking the deadliest attack this year in Iraq.

The 50,000 U.S. troops staying behind will be working to train, coordinate, and assist Iraqi security forces; as well as give support in counter-terrorism operations, according to the Pentagon.

Lanza said, “I certainly think the Iraqi security forces are capable of providing security, as we’ve seen during the election here on 7, March, and their capability has continued to grow, which has enabled us to conduct our responsible draw-down.”

All U.S. troops will be removed from Iraq “by the end of next year,” in accordance with an agreement with the Iraqi government, President Barack Obama said in a message to the White House e-mail list on Aug. 18.

“Meanwhile, we will continue to build a strong partnership with the Iraqi people with an increased civilian commitment and diplomatic effort,” Obama said.

Over the past 18 months, more than 90,000 U.S. troops were pulled out of Iraq. Obama reiterated the changes being made to the Department of Veteran Affairs, which will give soldiers easier access to care, including for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.

“Our commitment to our troops doesn’t end once they come home—it’s only the beginning,” Obama said. “Part of ending a war responsibly is meeting our responsibility to the men and women who have fought it.”

Obama added, “As we mark this milestone in the Iraq war and our troops continue to move out of Iraq, I hope you'll join me in thanking them, and all of our troops and military families, for their service.”