U.S. Makes Last Payment to 'Sons of Iraq'

Widely credited as one of the key reason for the defeat of Al Qaeda in Iraq, the "sons" combined with the change in tactics that put USA troops front and center against the terrorists and criminal gangs in Iraq , helped bring the war to a close.

FOB WARRIOR, Iraq (March 12, 2009) – The U.S. military made its last payment to “Sons of Iraq” civilian security group members March 2 in Kirkuk province’s city of Sudayra.The Iraqi government will assume full responsibility of payments April 1.

"This is one of the many milestones that the [Iraqi government] is hitting day by day," Army Capt. Justin Michel, commander of 1st Cavalry Division’s Company A, 1st Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team. "This transfer is a necessary step that the [Iraqi government] is taking to show its citizens that it is taking the lead on more programs."U.S. military members played the role of observers as Iraqi soldiers handled the payments.

"This is a great step in the right direction," Sheik Farhan, a Sons of Iraq leader in the Sudayra region, said. "Each day the government of Iraq is growing stronger, and we are becoming more independent."By assuming responsibility for the payments, “Iraq is showing us that they are truly taking over from coalition forces," Sheik Razzaq, of the Sons of Iraq, said....

Now for the nation building.