At the U.S.'s largest military base in southern Iraq, Imam Ali, they are packing up, taking inventory on weapons and other sensitive items.
All of this is to meet the timetable for complete withdrawal of U.S. forces by the end of this year.
Nearly 40,000 U.S. forces are still in Iraq.
The scale of the operation is unprecedented in history of the U.S. army.
Before they leave, U.S. forces will have to transfer dozens of bases to the Iraqis, and dispose of or ship out thousands of vehicles, generators and air conditioners
SOUNDBITE: Major Harold Huff, Public Affairs Officer for the for the 3rd Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division saying:
"Currently we have had approximately 1,000 soldiers from our unit depart Iraq on the way back to United States, and over a thousand pieces of equipment so far."
While combat duties were officially handed over to Iraqi forces last year with the U.S. sliding into a more advisory role --- U.S. forces still come under fire in the country and are anticipating an increase in attacks as their deadlines approaches.
Deborah Gembara, Reuters.
