United States Forces – Iraq

United States Forces - Iraq
Active	January 1, 2010 – present
Country	United States
Size	112,000
Part of	United States Central Command
Engagements	Iraq War
Commanders
Commanding General	General Raymond T. Odierno
Command Sergeant Major	Command Sergeant Major Lawrence Wilson

United States Forces - Iraq (USF-I) is a U.S. military command, part of U.S. Central Command, that is partnering with the Iraqi Security Forces and the Government of Iraq as statured by the U.S.–Iraq Status of Forces Agreement. United States Forces - Iraq replaced the previous commands, Multi-National Force - Iraq, Multi-National Corps - Iraq and Multi-National Security Transition Command - Iraq. General Ray Odierno serves as Commanding General.

Also in Iraq, but not part of USF-I, are the United Nations Assistance Mission in Iraq, which is doing humanitarian work, but has a number of guards and military observers, and the NATO Training Mission - Iraq, training the Iraqi army and police force.

Mission

United States Forces - Iraq is the military component of the U.S.-Iraq bilateral relationship, responsible for defense and security cooperation. The U.S.-Iraq Strategic Framework Agreement reads:

In order to strengthen security and stability in Iraq, and thereby contribute to international peace and stability, and to enhance the ability of the Republic of Iraq to deter all threats against its sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity, the Parties shall continue to foster close cooperation concerning defense and security arrangements without prejudice to Iraqi sovereignty over its land, sea, and air territory.

While the United States occupied Iraq between the toppling of Saddam and the dissolution of the Coalition Provisional Authority, June 28, 2004, and thereafter maintained security under a UN mandate requested by the Transitional Government of Iraq, since January 1, 2009, the Government of Iraq has full responsibility for security in all of Iraq. Consequently, United States Forces - Iraq does not have responsibility for, nor control of, any ground in Iraq. Its mission is limited to defense and security cooperation only.

Command merger background

During years 2008 and 2009, all non-U.S. foreign forces withdrew from Iraq. As of January 1, 2009, the Iraqi Government is fully responsible, through its security ministries, for maintaining and providing security and rule of law for its people. Furthermore, as of June 28, 2009, no foreign forces are stationed within any of Iraq's major cities. The United States has unilaterally decided to cease combat operations, i.e. patrolling, serving arrest warrants, route clearance, etc., within Iraq by September 1, 2010, and transition to a pure advise, train and assist role. The changing mission entails major troop reductions; from 115,000 December 15, 2009, to 50,000 September 1, 2010, to zero December 31, 2011.

As a result of the evolution of Operation Iraqi Freedom three major commands, Multi-National Force - Iraq, Multi-National Corps - Iraq and Multi-National Security Transition Command - Iraq, was merged on January 1, 2010. The streamlining reduced the total number of staff positions by 41%, and serves the new advise, train and assist role of the U.S. forces under the U.S.-Iraq Strategic Framework Agreement. The reduced number of staff positions decreases the personnel requirements on the United States armed forces and allows the services to utilize their people in other commands that need them.

Withdrawal timelines

• January 1, 2009 The U.S.-Iraq Status of Forces Agreement goes into effect, and gives the Government of Iraq de jure responsibility of maintaining and providing security for all of its people. Approximately 150,000 foreign troops in Iraq.

• June 28, 2009 No foreign forces are stationed within any of Iraq's major cities. Proclaimed as a national holiday by Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki.

• July 31, 2009 The last non-U.S. foreign forces complete their withdrawal from Iraq.

• January 1, 2010 The major commands Multi-National Force - Iraq, Multi-National Corps - Iraq and Multi-National Security Transition Command - Iraq merge into the unified command United States Forces - Iraq, reducing the total number of staff positions by 41%. Approximately 112,000 U.S. troops in Iraq.

• March 7, 2010 Iraq holds parliamentary elections, its second under its democratic constitution, and it is seen as an important milestone for the young Iraqi political system.

• September 1, 2010 U.S. forces cease all combat operations, i.e. patrolling, serving arrest warrants, route clearance, etc, and transition to a pure advise, train and assist role. Approximately 50,000 U.S. troops in Iraq (projected).

• December 31, 2011 U.S. forces complete their withdrawal from Iraq. No U.S. troops in Iraq (projected).

Possible role beyond 2011

The new command will implement the withdrawal of U.S. forces and materiel by December 31, 2011. However, U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates has mentioned the possibility that Iraq will request help with protecting its air space and further advise Iraqi forces beyond 2011. Such an agreement, however, would require new bilateral negotiations between the governments of Iraq and the United States.

The U.S.-Iraq Strategic Framework Agreement, different from the Status of Forces Agreement, stipulates a long-term relationship, and has no explicit expiration date. The agreement covers, e.g., the areas of culture, health, rule of law, economy, information technology, but also defense and security cooperation. The agreement stipulates a ``strong Iraq capable of self-defense´´, but also explicity states that ``The United States shall not seek or request permanent bases in Iraq´´.

The Iraqi Air Force, in particular, cannot yet defend the territorial sovereignty of its air space. Moreover, the Iraqi Army is trained and equipped primarily for an internal defense role, and its conventional capabilities are limited by lack of armour and artillery. A presence of U.S. forces, even though small, would serve as a deterrent against external aggression.