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THE CAMPAIGN FOR THE ACCOUNTABILITY OF AMERICAN BASES (CAAB) |
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THE CAMPAIGN FOR THE ACCOUNTABILITY OF AMERICAN BASES (CAAB) |
There is little doubt that Saddam's days in power are over, but victory has been tarnished by persistent attacks against coalition forces and the fruitless search for the former president and weapons of mass destruction (WMD).
"The two reasons why we came here was to get Saddam and find weapons of mass destruction and we do not have either and that pretty much puts a damper on everyone's thinking," said Specialist Ryan Muller.
However Muller, a 21-year-old from Missouri with the 101st Airborne Division based here, is optimistic.
As an infantryman, he dismisses the carnage inflicted in the post-invasion period by forces loyal to Saddam as "pockets of resistance", adding that Iraq's future had not been brighter since the Baath Party seized power 35 years ago.
Saddam's two sons, Uday and Qusay, were killed in a bloody shootout on July 22 in the northern town of Mosul.
But routine appearances by their father on Arab television stations since the US troops seized Baghdad on April 9 have inspired more attacks on troops, tainting sentiment among those who believe their job is incomplete.
"Eventually we will get him," said Lieutenant Justin Fisk, 24 from Texas, who commands a platoon of infantrymen tasked with frontline duties.
His troops are airlifted into hostile villages on search and, where justified, destroy missions.
"But to be honest, I don't think about the politics or Saddam I only have time to think about keeping my men safe and focused in a combat environment."
Staff Sergeant Jeff McCool said it was disappointing that WMDs had failed to materialise but added the reasons for being in Iraq had shifted, and were now more akin with the September 11, 2001, terrorists attacks on the United States.
"I don't believe this is a great and noble cause about freeing the Iraqi people from a dictator. If that was true then the US could march into another 30 countries," he said.
"Terrorists are coming here to fight Americans and it's better to fight them here than in the US and strategically we now have troops on the borders of terrorist-producing nations and that means political leverage."
He said Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Syria, Kuwait and Iran had all produced terrorists, plus the Americans were also positioned in Afghanistan, also bordering Iran, and Pakistan.
"I do like our current strategic fit," McCool added.
But infantrymen like Muller, a fan of US President George W. Bush, also believe it is time to change tactics in Iraq and bring in military staff more atuned to rebuilding than conquering.
"There are small pockets of combat but major combat operations are over and it's time for the infantrymen to go home. Iraq needs more reservists and people from the National Guard who are more about nation building than we are."
Lieutenant Jeremy Painter, 26, from Georgia, agreed, saying the emphasis was now on rebuilding, marking a big shift in military culture since Saddam was ousted six months ago.
"Sure it's disappointing that Saddam is not in custody nor that any weapons of mass destruction been found.
"But we came here with a purpose to destroy the regime and to curtail terrorists, and that part of our mission has been successful."
Painter said soldiers had to believe in what they were doing and in regards to WMDs, history would be the final judge.
"At the end of the day, it will be the historians who will execute us or defend us for what we have done here."