AMVETS Commander visits the troops in Iraq

By Isaac D. Pacheco

Amvets.orgpressroom-On a sweltering late-June evening in the nation’s Capitol, AMVETS National Commander John “Chad” Hapner boarded a plane and began a journey that would take him to the other side of the world. After 14 hours of alternately flying and terminal hopping from one airport to the next, Hapner and small group of leaders from several other veterans’ service organizations arrived at their destination: Baghdad, Iraq. The flight proved to be an appropriate interlude for the 4-day whirlwind tour of American military operating bases that followed.

At each stop Hapner met with senior military leadership and discussed the upcoming troop draw-down and transition process. During his first briefing with Gen. Raymond T. Odierno, Commanding General, Multi-National Force-Iraq, Hapner engaged the assembled leaders with questions about what outcome military and political leaders are hoping for as the transition process begins.

“I had a wonderful briefing with Gen. Odierno,” said Hapner. “We talked about how the transition of responsibilities to Iraqi forces will have a positive impact on the well-being of our service members as well as contributing to lasting stability in the region.”

Odierno’s comments centered on the logistics behind repositioning U.S. forces out of Iraq’s cities. He said the Iraqi Security Force (ISF) has matured and “is ready to take over” the responsibility of providing ongoing security for their country. According to defense officials, Odierno’s stated goal is to “mitigate the drivers of instability” in order help the ISF and Iraqi government succeed.

Hapner said what most impressed him during his tour was the morale displayed by the American troops that he met along the way. Their determination to see Iraq rebuilt and functioning under its people’s governance and defended by its own forces, inspired his fondest recollection of the trip.

“The highlight was really our chance to meet with these outstanding young men and women who continue to serve our country,” said Hapner. “My overall impression is that morale is really high. I think they’re all looking forward to turning responsibilities over to the Iraqi troops so they can operate from their consolidated bases in a safer environment.”

Odierno said that while there have been several high-profile attacks against U.S. forces recently, the overall level of violence has decreased significantly. As a result of the U.S. military cooperation with local village leaders and the ISF, insurgents are finding an increasingly hostile environment in which to operate.

Hapner says that a complete cessation of violence will require the full cooperation of the ISF and local police forces. He also sees the continued dedication of American troops from every branch of service working together as essential to a successful transition.

“The level of joint operations taking place between our different branches of service here is really phenomenal,” said Hapner. “In many instances you really wouldn’t be able to tell the services apart if their uniforms didn’t have branch identifiers on them. Their continued teamwork and cooperation with the Iraqi forces will ultimately be the key in creating a stable, self-governing country for the Iraqi people.”

With the build-up of forces in Afghanistan now well under way, military leaders are turning their gaze towards a new set of challenges. However, if the positive morale and inter-service cooperation witnessed by Hapner during his recent tour are indicators of the progress that American troops have made in Iraq since the 2007 troop surge, then all signs point toward a successful transition to Afghanistan before President Obama’s 2010 and 2011 deadlines. As the Iraqi people gather to vote for new national leaders next January, American troops will continue to stand by and defend their liberties.