thedrifter
03-09-09, 07:19 AM
Lejeune Marines see progress in Iraq
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March 8, 2009 - 8:20 PM
JENNIFER HLAD
As the war in Iraq nears its sixth anniversary this month, the commander of Regimental Combat Team 6 said he has seen impressive improvements over the course of the conflict.
"I'm absolutely amazed at how peaceful it is, and how much progress has been made over the past six years," Col. Matthew Lopez, told The Daily News in a phone call from Camp Ramadi, Iraq. "I'm a little bit surprised at how fast things are improving."
In a speech at Camp Lejeune last month, President Barack Obama announced his plans to withdraw all combat troops from Iraq by August 31, 2010.
"By any measure, this has already been a long war," he told Marines and sailors at Goettge Memorial Field House. "Thanks in great measure to your service, the situation in Iraq has improved."
Obama also mentioned plans to raise military pay.
"Much like the reaction of the crowd at Camp Lejeune, the Marines were very happy to hear we're getting a pay raise," Lopez said.
But the plans for withdrawal do not impact the Marines' mission, he said.
"The Marines here understand our mission here, and the duration of our mission. We don't see any major changes in what we've been asked to do. ... We're just here to serve for as long as they tell us to stay here and serve."
Lopez and the rest of RCT-6 arrived in eastern Anbar province Iraq in January for a yearlong deployment. It is Lopez's fourth tour in Iraq.
One of the unit's missions is to provide security for the local population, with Iraqi security forces in the lead, Lopez said.
The marines also provide security and support the civilian provincial reconstruction teams and civilian embedded reconstruction teams, working "hand in hand to attempt to improve the (living) conditions for the Iraqi people."
The unit also assists the police, Lopez said, though "the local police forces provide security for the local population with very little support from the coalition forces."
Now, instead of working with the individual police officer on the street, the Marines can help on a city or province level, Lopez said.
The unit would also provide a quick reaction force or mass casualty support, but neither has been necessary in the past six months, he said.
"The Marines are very proud of the changes that have been made, the improvements that have been made," he said. "For those on their second or third tour, it is a validation of the sacrifices (they made) on previous deployments. ... Now we have the opportunity to see (what they worked for) come true before our very eyes."
Contact interactive content editor and military reporter Jennifer Hlad at jhlad@freedomenc.com or 910-219-8467.
Ellie
Comments | Recommend
March 8, 2009 - 8:20 PM
JENNIFER HLAD
As the war in Iraq nears its sixth anniversary this month, the commander of Regimental Combat Team 6 said he has seen impressive improvements over the course of the conflict.
"I'm absolutely amazed at how peaceful it is, and how much progress has been made over the past six years," Col. Matthew Lopez, told The Daily News in a phone call from Camp Ramadi, Iraq. "I'm a little bit surprised at how fast things are improving."
In a speech at Camp Lejeune last month, President Barack Obama announced his plans to withdraw all combat troops from Iraq by August 31, 2010.
"By any measure, this has already been a long war," he told Marines and sailors at Goettge Memorial Field House. "Thanks in great measure to your service, the situation in Iraq has improved."
Obama also mentioned plans to raise military pay.
"Much like the reaction of the crowd at Camp Lejeune, the Marines were very happy to hear we're getting a pay raise," Lopez said.
But the plans for withdrawal do not impact the Marines' mission, he said.
"The Marines here understand our mission here, and the duration of our mission. We don't see any major changes in what we've been asked to do. ... We're just here to serve for as long as they tell us to stay here and serve."
Lopez and the rest of RCT-6 arrived in eastern Anbar province Iraq in January for a yearlong deployment. It is Lopez's fourth tour in Iraq.
One of the unit's missions is to provide security for the local population, with Iraqi security forces in the lead, Lopez said.
The marines also provide security and support the civilian provincial reconstruction teams and civilian embedded reconstruction teams, working "hand in hand to attempt to improve the (living) conditions for the Iraqi people."
The unit also assists the police, Lopez said, though "the local police forces provide security for the local population with very little support from the coalition forces."
Now, instead of working with the individual police officer on the street, the Marines can help on a city or province level, Lopez said.
The unit would also provide a quick reaction force or mass casualty support, but neither has been necessary in the past six months, he said.
"The Marines are very proud of the changes that have been made, the improvements that have been made," he said. "For those on their second or third tour, it is a validation of the sacrifices (they made) on previous deployments. ... Now we have the opportunity to see (what they worked for) come true before our very eyes."
Contact interactive content editor and military reporter Jennifer Hlad at jhlad@freedomenc.com or 910-219-8467.
Ellie