America's military placed Camp Victory into the hands of Iraqis on Friday.  The move represents a significant and symbolic milestone in the Iraq war.

"The base is no longer under U.S. control and is under the full authority of the government of Iraq," U.S. military spokesman Col. Barry Johnson declared Friday.

The base includes the former palace of dictator Saddam Hussein.  It is also where U.S. generals plotted the course of the long war.
    
American soldiers renamed the sprawling area "Camp Victory" after the 3rd Infantry Division fought its way into the Baghdad airport grounds nearly nine years ago.