Photo By Sgt. Emily Knitter | U.S. Deputy Secretary of Defense William J. Lynn III (foreground) talks to Soldiers...... read more read more
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BAGHDAD - U.S. Deputy Secretary of Defense William J. Lynn III visited United States Division – Center Soldiers—presenting awards, answering their questions and handing out coins—Oct. 26 during a trip to Iraq, making stops at Camp Liberty and Joint Security Station Falcon.
After arriving at USD-C headquarters at Camp Liberty, Lynn spoke to a group of about 200 soldiers on the enduring importance of the Operation New Dawn mission, as troops continue to drawdown responsibly throughout Iraq.
"We are at a stage now where we have accomplished a lot,” he said. “You have accomplished a lot. You brought democracy back to a critical nation in the Middle East. You brought stability back. You helped train the Iraqi armed forces and the Iraqi Police. You brought hope to the Iraqi people that they can again have a free and prosperous life. But it is not done yet. The key efforts still remain. The transitions that you are managing are critical to maintaining the success you have already achieved."
After his address, the floor was opened to questions straight from the soldiers. They ranged from the pending review of the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" law and policy to tentative plans for Iraq over the next decade.
"It is great to get out of Washington and come see where the real work of the department is going on," Lynn said. "Nothing that I do becomes real until you all touch it. So to get out here and see how you all are doing and see what you are doing, is particularly important to me doing my job to the best that I can."
Lynn also presented coins to 176 soldiers, expressing his appreciation for all their sacrifices and dedication during their time in Iraq.
UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters were staged and waiting as soon as Lynn finished, and quickly whisked him off to JSS Falcon, where he visited with soldiers from 5th Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Advise and Assist Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, USD-C.
JSS Falcon was recently transferred from U.S. control to the Government of Iraq, and 5th Sqdn., 7th Cav. Regt. soldiers are partners with Iraqi Police officers, with the 2nd Iraqi National Police Division, on a daily basis.
"I know you transferred Falcon to the Iraqis just in the last few weeks," Lynn said. "That represents a significant achievement, that you have trained them well enough that they are able to handle this on their own with just a relatively small contingent of U.S. forces behind them, and in just over a year they probably won’t have any U.S. forces behind them. You are going to need to train them so they can handle this on their own; that means not only the fighting, but the maintenance and support, all the things that make the U.S. [Army] the best army in the world."
While at JSS Falcon, Lynn presented nine officers and senior non-commissioned officers with awards earned for those Soldiers’ efforts throughout the deployment.
"The country recognizes the sacrifices you and your families are making, and it is recognized and appreciated by the chain of command, the civilian leadership, the department, the president and most importantly, by the American people," he said.
| Date Taken: | 10.26.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 10.29.2010 04:19 |
| Story ID: | 59031 |
| Location: | BAGHDAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 38 |
| Downloads: | 2 |
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