Base to transition Transfer underway
U.S. prepares facility for handover to Iraqi army in Maysan

1st Lt. Juan Torres

2nd Sqdn., 13th Cav. Regt.

CONTINGENCY OPERATING SITE HUNTER, Iraq – Preparing for redeployment often involves extensive inventories and equipment reallocations but the process for one U.S. base in southern Maysan province is unique when also combined with the transition of an entire base along with equipment and crucial infrastructure.  

“[COS Hunter] is the largest property closing for all of southern Iraq this year and continues to set the standard for future base closures,” said Base Closure Assistance Team Leader Tony “Tank” Cameron from Lillington, N.C.

The base will be transitioned from the 2nd Squadron, 13th Cavalry Regiment “Saber,” to the 41st Iraqi Army Brigade.  This process requires use of a continually evolving inventory system known as FEPP, or Foreign Excess Personal Property. The Base Closure Assistance Teams and unit logistics personnel work round-the-clock to maintain accountability of equipment for transfer to Iraqis.  

“Items like generators, tents and water purification units get nominated for transfer because it is often more cost effective to transfer items as opposed to shipping to Afghanistan or other theaters,” said Cameron.

FEPP is essentially a large-scale inventory designed to organize property from various sources ranging in size from a single trash can to multiple buildings. Equipment deemed non-mission essential for units in theater are then considered excess and later become potential nominations for transfer and reimbursement.   The execution of this complex mission is generating momentum as more bases prepare for closure.  

After identifying suitable bases, the exhausting preparation of equipment nominated to fall under FEPP is inventoried and cataloged for submission to request United States Forces-Iraq level approval, which, when granted, will eliminate excess costs for shipment of equipment to various regions. 

“It’s quite intense when you step back and recognize the amount of equipment needed to be accounted for,” said Cameron.

This new system provides Iraqi army partners with an increased infrastructure to continue operations as well as fulfill future opportunities for creating a joint training facility in southern Maysan province.  Under earlier base transfers, U.S. units would often not be able to leave critical items, such as wiring, needed to maintain functionality.  

“[Task Force Saber] is able to transfer important items that make an office function, as well as additional hard structures and areas built with specific purposes like motor pools,” said Task Force Saber Supply Officer 1st Lt. E. Blaine Decker from College Station, Texas.  

Iraqi army leadership is updated on the FEPP process. Staff Brig. Gen. Muhammad, 41st IA Bde. commander, has partnered with Task Force Saber over the past year. His unit will receive millions of dollars in equipment at COS Hunter. 

“Working with the 41st IA staff, we know that the material will go towards good use,” said Decker. 

As operations begin to focus solely on redeployment at COS Hunter, Soldiers across Task Force Saber work to ensure long-term success well after U.S. withdraw inclu-ding forward support company mechanics who continue to lead maintenance training, particularly for newly transferred equipment.

Though seen as a daunting task, the success of 2nd Sqdn., 13th Cav. Regt. to spearhead base transfer operations is setting new standards for future units withdrawing across Iraq.