Progress in Iraq
Congressman Jeb Bradley
February 01, 2006
Recently, five other members of Congress and I sat on a C-130 transport plane surrounded by soldiers going from Kuwait to Baghdad. The backdrop is a recent surge in violence. Since the December 15th elections, helicopters have crashed, over 50 U.S. soldiers have been killed and 500 Iraqi civilians have perished. On this morning, the phrase ‘we are making progress in Iraq’ seems distant. However, I am heartened by the “can do” attitude and determination of the men and women soldiers traveling with us.
I have visited Iraq twice before, in November of 2003 and in April of 2005. The focus of this trip was to gauge the performance of the Iraqi Security Forces (ISF), assess the morale of American troops, observe the measures designed to protect our soldiers and develop a better understanding of the conditions necessary for our troops to begin returning home.
We met Col. Steve Fondacaro, who commands the Joint Improvised Explosive Device (IED) Task Force. These constant IED and suicide bomber attacks seek to instill fear and undermine the formation of institutions necessary to produce stability in Iraq after a generation of repression under Saddam Hussein.
Col. Fondacaro discussed recently-improved technology, such as better jammers, stronger body armor and hardened vehicles, but he also advocated for enhanced IED recognition through improved troop training and situational awareness. Those of us who serve on the House Armed Services Committee will focus our attention on devoting more resources to this specific training when Congress reconvenes.
Helping the Iraqi Army (IA) and Iraqi Police (IP) to stand on their own has been one of the top priorities of our military. In Mosul, an Iraqi battalion commander of a 600-person force assured us that his unit is prepared with regard to training, equipment and operational capability. Later this month, his unit will operate independently of American forces, and by mid-July, other regional Iraqi battalions will also operate independently.
In Baghdad, an Iraqi commander of a 400-person special police unit said that the Iraqi police are finding the public much more cooperative, as demonstrated by the increasing amount of credible intelligence that they are receiving from Iraqi citizens about the identities and activities of terrorists. This intelligence is essential in the effort to thwart IED and suicide bomber attacks.
U.S. military commanders stated the success of the IA and IP will depend upon the placement of competent people at the ministries of Defense and Interior, which oversee the Army and Police. The ministries must be held accountable for human rights and administer their departments without sectarian policies in order to be trusted by the Iraqi people.
On my first trip to Iraq in 2003, I visited a Kirkuk police station and met one of the very first Iraqi police units. Today, there are 225,000 Iraqi Security Forces, and that number will increase to 375,000 by the middle of 2007. A capable ISF will be one of the key elements to enabling American troops to return home. It is encouraging that within the next six months, our rotation of American troops will reduce from approximately 142,000 to 130,000. I am also encouraged by the words of Sgt. 1st Class Patrick Jennings of New Hampshire, who described the determination of Iraqi police recruits in Ramadi who defied suicide bombers by volunteering to join the Iraqi Police even after an explosion had killed many recruits that same day. Our troops recognize the courage of the Iraqi people and it strengthens their commitment to the mission.
Improvements to armored vehicles and body armor for American troops have also been made. We had the opportunity to see fully-armored Humvees and Stryker vehicles. The troops proudly pointed out many places where these vehicles have been hit with bullets and rocket-propelled grenades with limited damage because of the improved armor protection.
The new, upgraded body armor includes add-on side and shoulder protection which will become available. Although the vest with the add-on gear weighs nearly 50 pounds and reduces mobility, the troops were enthusiastic about the dramatically improved force protection measures, which are saving lives. They realize that in a war, safety cannot be guaranteed, but the military and defense industry have reacted to a very determined and adaptive enemy by making necessary improvements to body armor and vehicles.
On each of my trips to Iraq, I have been impressed with the morale of the troops I have met. Better than anyone, they recognize there is still a long way to go, but they know we are making steady progress despite its difficulty and the sacrifice involved. Captain John Curry of New Hampshire, embedded with an Iraqi police unit, described to me how he was able to watch the joy on Iraqis’ faces as they proudly held up their purple fingers after voting.
Soldiers serving a second tour say that the living conditions are good and have gotten better. One common complaint, though, is that Americans at home get too little news about the progress being made. These troops are concerned that the terror campaign and the media’s predominant focus on suicide bombs and IED attacks will do precisely what the terrorists want: undermine our nation’s confidence and resolve.
We should not underestimate the challenges facing Iraq. The formation of a post-election government that can reduce sectarian divisions and diminish sympathy for the terrorist insurgency is crucial. High unemployment and infrastructure problems still plague the country. But on each of my three trips, I have met Iraqis who are confident about their country’s future, and that same sentiment is echoed by the troops I have spoken with who interact with Iraqis on a daily basis.
At home, Americans have the right to question the faulty intelligence regarding weapons of mass destruction, the military planning for post-war Iraq and the use of U.S. forces to overthrow a dictator. However, should questions about entering Iraq be the determining factor in the strategic issue of leaving now? The variables today are completely different and the strategic landscape is permanently altered. The path that produces a preferred outcome – Iraqi stability – is a continued commitment to self-reliance and self-governance in Iraq. Immediate withdrawal leaves Iraq with an embryonic government at the mercy of sectarian groups, criminal gangs and domestic and foreign fanaticism. Withdrawal guarantees uncertainty and probably much worse in Iraq.
It is not possible to predict exactly when stability in Iraq will occur, but the progress is significant. After three elections, the Iraqi government is increasingly taking command of its troops. Saddam Hussein is currently on trial and Iraqis can now acknowledge what happened to their families under his brutal reign.
The change from a brutal dictatorship to a nation based on the rule of law and the will of the people is difficult, requires sacrifice and needs patience. As Captain Curry reminded me, his job is to help establish conditions where Iraqi forces can take over from Americans and begin to provide security for their own country. We are making steady progress doing just that.
I have visited Iraq twice before, in November of 2003 and in April of 2005. The focus of this trip was to gauge the performance of the Iraqi Security Forces (ISF), assess the morale of American troops, observe the measures designed to protect our soldiers and develop a better understanding of the conditions necessary for our troops to begin returning home.
We met Col. Steve Fondacaro, who commands the Joint Improvised Explosive Device (IED) Task Force. These constant IED and suicide bomber attacks seek to instill fear and undermine the formation of institutions necessary to produce stability in Iraq after a generation of repression under Saddam Hussein.
Col. Fondacaro discussed recently-improved technology, such as better jammers, stronger body armor and hardened vehicles, but he also advocated for enhanced IED recognition through improved troop training and situational awareness. Those of us who serve on the House Armed Services Committee will focus our attention on devoting more resources to this specific training when Congress reconvenes.
Helping the Iraqi Army (IA) and Iraqi Police (IP) to stand on their own has been one of the top priorities of our military. In Mosul, an Iraqi battalion commander of a 600-person force assured us that his unit is prepared with regard to training, equipment and operational capability. Later this month, his unit will operate independently of American forces, and by mid-July, other regional Iraqi battalions will also operate independently.
In Baghdad, an Iraqi commander of a 400-person special police unit said that the Iraqi police are finding the public much more cooperative, as demonstrated by the increasing amount of credible intelligence that they are receiving from Iraqi citizens about the identities and activities of terrorists. This intelligence is essential in the effort to thwart IED and suicide bomber attacks.
U.S. military commanders stated the success of the IA and IP will depend upon the placement of competent people at the ministries of Defense and Interior, which oversee the Army and Police. The ministries must be held accountable for human rights and administer their departments without sectarian policies in order to be trusted by the Iraqi people.
On my first trip to Iraq in 2003, I visited a Kirkuk police station and met one of the very first Iraqi police units. Today, there are 225,000 Iraqi Security Forces, and that number will increase to 375,000 by the middle of 2007. A capable ISF will be one of the key elements to enabling American troops to return home. It is encouraging that within the next six months, our rotation of American troops will reduce from approximately 142,000 to 130,000. I am also encouraged by the words of Sgt. 1st Class Patrick Jennings of New Hampshire, who described the determination of Iraqi police recruits in Ramadi who defied suicide bombers by volunteering to join the Iraqi Police even after an explosion had killed many recruits that same day. Our troops recognize the courage of the Iraqi people and it strengthens their commitment to the mission.
Improvements to armored vehicles and body armor for American troops have also been made. We had the opportunity to see fully-armored Humvees and Stryker vehicles. The troops proudly pointed out many places where these vehicles have been hit with bullets and rocket-propelled grenades with limited damage because of the improved armor protection.
The new, upgraded body armor includes add-on side and shoulder protection which will become available. Although the vest with the add-on gear weighs nearly 50 pounds and reduces mobility, the troops were enthusiastic about the dramatically improved force protection measures, which are saving lives. They realize that in a war, safety cannot be guaranteed, but the military and defense industry have reacted to a very determined and adaptive enemy by making necessary improvements to body armor and vehicles.
On each of my trips to Iraq, I have been impressed with the morale of the troops I have met. Better than anyone, they recognize there is still a long way to go, but they know we are making steady progress despite its difficulty and the sacrifice involved. Captain John Curry of New Hampshire, embedded with an Iraqi police unit, described to me how he was able to watch the joy on Iraqis’ faces as they proudly held up their purple fingers after voting.
Soldiers serving a second tour say that the living conditions are good and have gotten better. One common complaint, though, is that Americans at home get too little news about the progress being made. These troops are concerned that the terror campaign and the media’s predominant focus on suicide bombs and IED attacks will do precisely what the terrorists want: undermine our nation’s confidence and resolve.
We should not underestimate the challenges facing Iraq. The formation of a post-election government that can reduce sectarian divisions and diminish sympathy for the terrorist insurgency is crucial. High unemployment and infrastructure problems still plague the country. But on each of my three trips, I have met Iraqis who are confident about their country’s future, and that same sentiment is echoed by the troops I have spoken with who interact with Iraqis on a daily basis.
At home, Americans have the right to question the faulty intelligence regarding weapons of mass destruction, the military planning for post-war Iraq and the use of U.S. forces to overthrow a dictator. However, should questions about entering Iraq be the determining factor in the strategic issue of leaving now? The variables today are completely different and the strategic landscape is permanently altered. The path that produces a preferred outcome – Iraqi stability – is a continued commitment to self-reliance and self-governance in Iraq. Immediate withdrawal leaves Iraq with an embryonic government at the mercy of sectarian groups, criminal gangs and domestic and foreign fanaticism. Withdrawal guarantees uncertainty and probably much worse in Iraq.
It is not possible to predict exactly when stability in Iraq will occur, but the progress is significant. After three elections, the Iraqi government is increasingly taking command of its troops. Saddam Hussein is currently on trial and Iraqis can now acknowledge what happened to their families under his brutal reign.
The change from a brutal dictatorship to a nation based on the rule of law and the will of the people is difficult, requires sacrifice and needs patience. As Captain Curry reminded me, his job is to help establish conditions where Iraqi forces can take over from Americans and begin to provide security for their own country. We are making steady progress doing just that.
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