2nd LAR Assumes Control of Western Anbar

Lt. Col. Russell E. Smith, battalion commander of 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, Regimental Combat Team 5, tours around Trebil, Iraq, with Maj. Howard Gordon, commander, Border Transition Team of the 3rd, 5th, and 2nd Iraqi Border Brigade, during an initial visit of 2nd LAR. The battalion assumed control of western Anbar province, March 31. Photo Cpl. Ryan L. Tomlinson.

CAMP KOREAN VILLAGE, Iraq – The battalion will have several missions to conduct, but one of the most important is the continued transition from coalition forces to Iraqi security forces controlling the area.

“We are here to return the control of the country to the Iraqi people and to provide them with a self-sufficient and stable government,” said Maj. Stuart M. Harness, executive officer of 2nd LAR Bn.
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“Since the Marines came to Iraq in 2003, my country is a lot better than before,” said Aziz Shalan, a commando with Iraqi border patrol. “Life is good here.”