Combined Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve  (JTF-OIR) Director of Sustainment US Brig. Gen. Vincent Barker officially handed over the inner-coalition area of the K-1 Air Base in Kirkuk to Iraqi security forces on March 29. 

Coalition forces have been present at K-1 for the duration of the war against Islamic State (ISIS). The base has served as “critical” location for the coalition to target Islamic State (ISIS) militants in the rugged Hamrin Mountains. 

A statement from the coalition said that 300 personnel were departing the base in order to relocate and consolidate personnel and equipment from several Iraqi bases throughout 2020. 

The coalition said they are committed to supporting Iraqi security forces in their continued battle against ISIS. 

The US-led coalition has around 7,500 personnel in Iraq including 5,000 Americans. American troops were invited back to Iraq by the government in order to assist in the fight against ISIS, which seized swathes of Iraq and Syria in 2014.

Photos by Fazel Hawramy