United States Forces – Iraq United States Forces – Iraq ( USF - I ) was an American military sub - unified command , part of U . S . Central Command . It was stationed in Iraq as agreed with the Government of Iraq under the U . S . – Iraq Status of Forces Agreement . USF – I replaced the previous commands Multi - National Force – Iraq , Multi - National Corps – Iraq , and Multi - National Security Transition Command – Iraq from January 2010 . General Lloyd Austin served as Commanding General . Mission . United States Forces – Iraq was the military component of the U . S . – Iraq bilateral relationship , responsible for defense and security cooperation . The U . S . – Iraq Strategic Framework Agreement reads : In order to strengthen security and stability in Iraq , and thereby contribute to international peace and stability , and to enhance the ability of the Republic of Iraq to deter all threats against its sovereignty , security , and territorial integrity , the Parties shall continue to foster close cooperation concerning defense and security arrangements without prejudice to Iraqi sovereignty over its land , sea , and air territory . While the United States occupied Iraq between the toppling of Saddam and the dissolution of the Coalition Provisional Authority , 28 June 2004 , and thereafter maintained security under a UN mandate requested by the Transitional Government of Iraq , since 1 January 2009 , the Government of Iraq has full responsibility for security in all of Iraq . Consequently , United States Forces – Iraq did not have responsibility for , nor control of , any ground in Iraq . Its mission was limited to defense and security cooperation only . Command merger background . During 2008 and 2009 , all non - U . S . foreign forces withdrew from Iraq . Withdrawal of all non - US forces was complete by 31 July 2009 . As of 1 January 2009 , the Iraqi Government is fully responsible , through its security ministries , for maintaining and providing security and rule of law for its people . Furthermore , as of 28 June 2009 , no foreign forces are stationed within any of Iraq ' s major cities . The United States decided after negotiations to cease combat operations , that is , patrolling , serving arrest warrants , route clearance , etc . , within Iraq by 1 September 2010 , and transition to a pure advise , train and assist role . The changing mission entails major troop reductions ; from 115 , 000 on 15 December 2009 , to 50 , 000 by 1 September 2010 , and to zero by 31 December 2011 . As a result of the evolution of Operation Iraqi Freedom , three major commands ( Multi - National Force – Iraq , Multi - National Corps – Iraq and Multi - National Security Transition Command – Iraq ) were merged on 1 January 2010 . The streamlining reduced the total number of staff positions by 41 % , and serves the new advise , train and assist role of the U . S . forces under the U . S . – Iraq Strategic Framework Agreement . The reduced number of staff positions decreased the personnel requirements on the United States armed forces . This also meant that further space was created for the reconstitution of the U . S . armed forces after the end of significant combat operations . ( This reconstitution may include , for example , longer leave for many personnel , enhanced space for psychological counselling , equipment repair and maintenance , transport of enormous amounts of equipment , supplies , and materiel south to Kuwait and onward , reconsideration of requirements , etc . ) . The new USF – I was claimed to be organized into three divisions , which as of January 2010 were actually four . United States Division – North takes over from the former MND – N , United States Division – Center takes over from United States Force – West and MND – Baghdad , amalgamated on 23 January 2010 , and United States Division – South , takes over from the old MND – South . In December 2009 / January 2010 when the transition occurred , the 34th Infantry Division was providing the headquarters of MND / USD South . On 3 February 2010 , the 1st Infantry Division took command of USD – South ( covering nine Governorates of Iraq , including Wasit Governorate and Babil Governorate ) from the 34th Infantry Division . A number of Advise and Assist ( A & A ) Brigades were created to carry out the Advise and Assist mission . Advise and Assist brigades were ' standard combat brigades with a complement of forty - eight extra majors and colonels to serve as advisers to Iraqi troops . ' MNSTC – I became U . S . Forces Iraq , Advising and Training , which was under a Major General ( Jane ' s Defence Weekly , January 2010 ) , double - hatted as Commander , NATO Training Mission – Iraq ( NTM – I ) .