Some smaller bases are either expanding or closing in the Baghdad area as part of an Iraq version of transformation.

Under the security agreement signed between the countries, U.S. troops are supposed to pull back from cities and villages by June 30. But the pact leaves open the possibility for troops to stay longer in certain areas if needed, and with violence spiking in recent weeks — including attacks by suicide bombers — U.S. officials say details of the pullback remain fluid.

In some cases, officials say, joint security stations, which had been established to get U.S. troops into the communities and work in conjunction with Iraqi security forces, accomplished their goals and are no longer needed.

In the Yarmouk neighborhood of northwest Baghdad, a man who let soldiers use his home as a joint security station was praised for his help during a closure ceremony May 16, according to a news release.

JSS Yarmouk was shut down and use of the home has been returned to Duraid Kassim Malik.

Malik let the soldiers eat, sleep and operate from his home, and allowed concrete barriers to be built around it, according to a news release.

He made a great sacrifice for his neighborhood "like so many Iraqis who have given up their homes" to be used as bases, Lt. Col. John Richardson with 5th Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment, was quoted as saying in a news release. The squadron and the Iraqi 2nd Battalion, 54th Brigade, 6th Division both used the station.

Security gains are allowing the security station to close, officials said. Iraqis are determining whether other security stations in the Dagger Brigade’s area will be closed or handed over to Iraqi troops by June 30.

In northeast Baghdad, JSS Ur is expanding to accommodate troops from two stations that are closing, officials say. Joint Security Stations Sadr and Ford are winding down.

At JSS Ur, T-walls have been set up on the perimeter and 10 swampy acres have been cleared and filled in. Up to 80 Containerized Housing Units are expected to arrive by the end of May, and dining, laundry, shower and recreational facilities will be built, 1st Sgt. James Funk, with the 2nd Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division, said in a news release.

A shooting range will be set up, too.

Meanwhile, to accommodate personnel pulling out of Baghdad, troops are working to rebuild Patrol Base Yusyfiah southwest of the city.

The 46th Engineer Combat Battalion plans to establish a tactical operations center, dining facility, first-aid station and recreational center in the coming weeks, officials said.