The U.S. Army's 18th Airborne Corps formally took control of coalition ground forces in Iraq on Thursday, bringing in a new commander and staff to replace 3rd Corps, which is returning to Fort Hood, Texas. Lt. Gen. John Vines became the new commander of what is formally known as Multi-National Force-Iraq. A 34-year veteran infantryman, he took over from Lt. Gen. Thomas Metz at a ceremony held in one of Saddam Hussein's former palaces near Baghdad International Airport. The transfer of authority was conducted by Gen. George Casey Jr., who commands all forces in Iraq. He said Metz's troops had made possible the transfer of sovereignty to a new Iraqi government in June, as well as the Jan. 30 elections. Casey said Vines' would oversee even more changes in Iraq, including the installation of a new transitional government, the drafting and adopting of a constitution and elections in December for new, fully constitutional government.| Hooah and welcome General Vines and 18th Airborne. Best wishes to all for a successful deployment and safe return home. |
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