Soldiers In Iraq Back Petraeus Testimony
FORWARD OPERATING BASE DELTA, Iraq (AP) - At this wind-swept base near the Iranian border, the main points of Gen. David Petraeus’ testimony to Congress were met with widespread agreement among soldiers: The American troop buildup is working, but the military needs more time.
Most of the soldiers at FOB Delta, some 100 miles southeast of Baghdad, were out on patrol or sleeping when Petraeus’ comments were broadcast late Monday and Tuesday in Iraq.
But some heard it and others have read about it, and say they agree with their commander’s assessment.
Staff Sgt. Matthew Nicholls of the 71st Medical Detachment, visiting FOB Delta from his post in southern Iraq to do an assessment, said the military still needs time to clean up mistakes made after the 2003 invasion, including the need to build an Iraqi army from scratch and to secure the borders.
“I think our initial assessment was too rosy,” he said after reading about the hearings while sitting in the library at the recreation center. “It takes time to build an army and I think we should’ve secured the borders right away.”
The 36-year-old from Mobile, Ala., also said American politicians need to be more understanding.
“They can be critical because they are politicians and their main goal is to be re-elected, but they see a much more limited piece than the troops on the ground,” he said.
“What happens in Washington D.C. when somebody signs a piece of paper doesn’t necessarily make it here in the desert,” he said. “You can’t make everybody come together. Sometimes the best you can do is find intermediaries and that takes time.”
The U.S. has added 30,000 troops to Iraq since the start of the year in an effort to crack down on the sectarian violence that has been plaguing the country.
Petraeus told lawmakers that the plan has worked, “bringing down the number of ethno-sectarian deaths substantially in Baghdad and across Iraq since the height of the sectarian violence last December,” but that civilian deaths were still at “troubling levels.”
Petraeus recommended scaling back the U.S. troop levels by July 2008 to some 130,000-135,000, down from about 168,000 now. He said he foresaw even deeper troop cuts beyond July, but he recommended that President Bush wait until at least March to decide when to go below 130,000—and at what pace.
Sgt. Nathaniel Killip, 24, of Indianapolis, caught part of the general’s presentation on TV and said he agreed that withdrawing all U.S. troops or setting a date to do so before Iraqi security forces have proven themselves ready to take over would open the doors for insurgents to attack.
“They’re just going to lay back and wait until it’s a softer target,” he said.
Killip said the troop buildup had made a noticeable difference since more forces arrived at FOB Delta in June, pointing to a dramatic drop in rocket and mortar attacks against the base in the past two weeks.
Col. Peter Baker, the commander of the Fort Sill, Okla.-based 214th Fires Brigade, said the U.S. strategy was working but needs more time.
“It takes time to build relationships with the Iraqis. It’s gotta be just a very deliberate process,” he said.
Baker also pointed out that Petraeus had sent a letter to troops before going before Congress in which he gave them a preview of what he had to say. “It was a recognition that there’s still a ways to go,” he said.
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Jimmy-boy Webb used his son(a Marine Officer) in his little pointy-eared tirade the other day. Knowing Jim-bob-boy’s reputation, he probably lied. And even if Jim-bob’s son is as stupid and nearsighted as his POS father is…so fucking what?
The opinions of the majority of soldier/marines/et.al. on the ground far outweigh the opinions of one tinfoil-wearing Senator and his son.
By far the vast majority of them support their commander and think Congress is just another dog-and-pony-show.
God Bless our heroic Armed Forces, their outstanding commander and our CIC.
September 12th, 2007 at 5:22 amUnfortunately, the majority of Americans get their news and “insight” from their local newspapers and TV stations, which are all tied into the drive-by media. They don’t read this blog or Michael Yon’s or any of the other real journalists who are covering Iraq in the “danger zone”. I have been spreading the word about Pat and Michael. Great job, guys.
September 12th, 2007 at 6:35 amGREAT move by Sen. Graham (R) yesterday in pointing out, via the appearance of being tough on the General a la “raving democrat”, that Petraeus’s OWN SON will very soon be sent into one of the battle theaters, and that the General DOES NOT take sending troops into battle casually and without thought! EXCELLENT!
September 12th, 2007 at 7:16 amLet the MILITARY HEROES fight the wars, and let the polidickheads write the checks. The price for freedom can’t be calculated. Just give it up and see how much you would be willing to pay for it.
September 12th, 2007 at 8:51 amPolidickheads need to support the troops every way they can, and get the hell out of the way.
Support America to win this war, or take your sorry politico ass out of this country.
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September 12th, 2007 at 11:13 am