RAISING THE FLAG - The Iraqi army, Iraqi National Police and U.S. soldiers watch the Iraqi national flag as it is raised above Joint Security Station Salamiyat, west of Baghdad, Jan. 1, 2009. The raising of the flag symbolizes the implementation of the new security agreement. The U.S. soldiers are with Company C, 1st Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment, attached to 1st Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment, “Gimlets,” 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, “Warrior,” 25th Infantry Division.U.S. Army photo by 1st Lt. Christopher Smith