I would like to use this blog to discuss my experiences and the changes I have seen over the last 8 years in Iraq. There have been many discussions over the reasoning that we went to war with Iraq, whether it was a good or bad decision, and why we are still here. As a soldier, you don’t get to give your opinion on what U.S. policy should be or what we are or aren’t going to do. I first went to Iraq in 2003 during the initial invasion. As a pilot, I was able to see almost the whole country of Iraq and the sad shape that it was in. Saddam Hussein was an evil dictator who killed hundreds of thousands of his own people and ruled the country in a way that his people were suffering. I was able to see much of this first hand, as I spent time flying around the country. By the end of my tour in 2003 we had completely taken over the country of Iraq. Iraq was in shambles from the initial invasion and the years of abuse by Saddam. From the air, you would see very few lights on at night, the people in southern Iraq were without water for their fields, as a punishment from Saddam, and the entire infrastructure of the country was broken. By my next trip to Iraq in 2007-08 there was a substantial improvement. Cities were being rebuilt, insurgency populations were down, and several airfields in Iraq were being controlled by Iraqi air traffic controllers. There was a sense of stability in Iraq, as the people were able to start regaining control of their country.
Now on my third and hopefully final “combat” deployment to Iraq, it is an entirely different country. Flying overhead you see new sky-scrapper construction in cities like Erbil, ground lights are comparable to flying over any areas of the U.S., and Iraqis are refueling our aircraft. We now share the skies with Iraq military pilots, as well as commercial airliners. Many perceive Iraq as simply a barren desert, but there are many beautiful areas of Iraq. Aside from you views of whether or not we should have gone to war with Iraq, the changes to this country are nothing but amazing. It is my hope that someday in the future I would be able to travel to Iraq as a tourist and see the progress and stability that this country could achieve. The media seems to forget these areas after the “wars” are over, but I guarantee the millions of people who reside in Iraq will have a better more successful future than before we were involved.  |
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Yes, indeed there has been a lot of improvements in Iraq since 2003, but we shouldn't forget why and how it came to be. First, we owe it to the men and women that have given their lives for not only our country, but for Iraq as well. They not only suffered, but their families will continue to ponder their lose forever.
ReplyDeleteI too have "been there, done that" and my opinion is that Gen. David Petraeus is the reason Iraq is a better place today. I too was there in 03/04...Very bad place to be, but yet we were the outsiders. No running water, very little electricity (if at all), no education policy, no rule in government... We conquered Iraq with no expectations of where we would do with it once we took it. We as Americans cheered and loved when Saddam was executed, but it was not that that changed the Iraqi government and way of living. Instead, it was the "surge" that Gen. Petraeus brought with him, which kicked the enemies butt and was able to give the Iraqis a new beginning. I was there when the surge came to be and I tell you, it was no joke. We lost a lot of "American", I lost some good soldiers and dear friends of mine. A battle that was not over until the "enemy" got the picture. The picture would be that we wouldn't leave until they all were out of Iraq or killed.
I know what you mean when you say that the view from above is a whole different view. I was "lucky" enough to fly over head a few times. Flew over Baghdad to Najaf and Fallujah for some butt kicking.... loved every part of it. Real battles that will go done in History. You're right, back then there wasn't much of a city or even life it self. But years later, things were different with the "city lights" in full force. A view from above is not the same from as below. The people of Iraq are still complaining about how little they have and about how "we" owe them things to come. What is missing is that they now need to figure it out on their own. We not only should leave the Country of Iraq, but we "must" do it NOW.... Seems that I still have buddies going there and this will be there 5th or 6th time..now it is all about training them, but they are not as educated as us...they can not grasp the knowledge as we do... I will take another 20-30 years to get Iraq straight. A better place for Iraqis? Yes... A better place for us all... not really... In the end, we didn't change much...just like sweeping your kitchen... eventually, you will have to clean it again...
What a fantastic perspective from someone who is obviously a fantastic person. First off, I want to say "Thanks for your service and dedication to your country and fellow Americans." Not only have you shown your loyalty and respect to your country by not voicing your opinion on US policy but you have shown your true desire to rebuild a nation. I hear so many US Soliers giving their opinons about what should or shouldn't be happening. I admire you for being able to remain objective and uphold that committment. I also admire you for your fond memories of Iraq and how you truly long for the happiness and well being of that country. I've heard service men that really do not seem to care what happens in other countries they just want to go fight. This was a very informative blog and I learned that Iraq wasn't just a desolate land that failing to thrive. Thank you again for your service. You truly are one of the great assets to your country.
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