US hands over control of Iraq combat operations

From CNN:

Baghdad, Iraq (CNN) -- Iraqi commandos showed off skills they learned from U.S. military forces, who Saturday formally handed over control of combat operations to Iraqi security forces.
The top U.S. commander in Iraq, Gen. Raymond Odierno, was on hand to watch the final American combat team, the 4th Brigade of the 2nd Infantry Division, tender responsibilities to the 6th Iraqi Army Division.
President Barack Obama has ordered the current 64,000-strong U.S. presence to be down to 50,000 by September 1.

(quoted from: http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/meast/08/07/iraq.combat.handover/index.html?hpt=T2 )

Thank you to the many troops who got us here and the ones who are still shouldering the load.

(Picture source: MSNBC, article with additional detail http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/38605719/ns/world_news-mideastn_africa/ )