Military

BAGHDAD, Iraq (Army News Service, June 30, 2003) -- Temperatures topped out at 117 degrees as Acting Secretary of the Army Les Brownlee visited with soldiers in Iraq last week.

Brownlee went to Iraq to get a first-hand assessment of the current phase of operations. He received operational assessments from key leaders, checked performance and status of equipment and facilities, and asked specifically about care for soldiers during non-duty periods.

Mail, morale and other quality of life issues are so important, Brownlee said, to soldiers who are completing a tough mission in an austere environment -and doing so in what he termed a very outstanding and professional manner.

Brownlee's visit began with an operations briefing from Lt. Gen. Ric Sanchez, commanding general of the combined joint task force in Iraq. That was followed by an aggressive schedule of briefings, meals and roundtables with soldiers and senior military leaders in almost every operational sector.

Brownlee also made a trip to Tikrit, the hometown of Saddam Hussein and a hotbed for Saddam loyalists. Brownlee was accompanied on his visit to Tikrit by Ambassador L. Paul Bremer, America's top administrator in Iraq.

"I'm very proud of our soldiers and the outstanding job that they've been doing in a very challenging environment," said Sanchez. "These soldiers are confident, committed and well led. It's a tough mission, but our soldiers and leaders are up to the task."

In visits to the 101st Airborne Division, the 1st Armored Division, the 4th Infantry Division, and with elements of the 3rd Infantry Division, Brownlee brought a message of pride and appreciation from the president of the United States and the American people.

"It's always great to be among heroes, and you are certainly heroes. What you did during this war, the speed of your deployment, and actions in combat were outstanding. Your overwhelming victory in Operation Iraqi Freedom will go down in the annals of military history as one of the great military triumphs." Brownlee said.

"You brave men and women make up a truly amazing Army," said Brownlee. "You destroy everything in front of you when conducting your combat mission, and in an instant you risk your own lives to save an innocent civilian. No other Army in the world possesses that type of precise capability."

Though soldiers beamed with pride while listening to the secretary's comments, they posed the expected candid questions when it was their turn to talk.

"We've been in the region since September, when are we going home," said Pvt. Anthony J. Misuraca, of the 3rd Infantry Division.

Misuraca, 19, said he does plan to re-enlist and eventually apply for the Army's "Green to Gold" program.

The 19-year-old Misuraca and his fellow soldiers, with ingenuity, constructed two first-class volleyball nets out of five-fifty cord, and also welded together a couple of basketball hoops to use off-duty.

"I can't tell you right now when you're rotating, but I can tell you that we're working extremely hard at it," said Brownlee. "So much of it is condition driven. We've got to get the stability and security of Iraq to a level that will allow a democracy to emerge here," said Brownlee.

"It would be nice to have some Internet access and extra phones, also the mail gets a little sporadic at times for us detached from our unit" said Spc. Richard J. Lewis, 3rd Infantry Division.

The 22-year-old Lewis has been in the region for six months, has a wife back near Fort Stewart, Ga., and also said he's planning to re-enlist.

"I'm glad we had a chance to come over and prove that we could do our job," said Lewis. "We got into the fight early. We had a mission to secure a bridge and hold it for two days. We had very little intelligence on the area, and we got ambushed. We had six days of constant fighting. Our Bradleys had RPG hits all over them, but the enemy was so close that RPGs didn't have time to arm," said Lewis.

"We had injuries but didn't lose any soldiers in that battle, and we inflicted some major damage on the enemy," said Lewis.

Brownlee promised the soldiers that increased Internet portals and phone banks would be actively worked, and that other quality-of-life issues addressed to him by their senior leaders would be given a top priority as well.

In one of the final stops on the Iraq visit, Brownlee was accompanied by Bremer, America's top administrator in Iraq. The two leaders were escorted to Tikrit by Maj. Gen. Russell Odierno, commanding general of the 4th Infantry Division.

"Morale is good here in Tikrit," said Odierno. "Soldiers are getting used to the tough conditions, they're performing well, and they know why they're here."

"Tikrit was the home of Saddam; 4th ID came in and established a meaningful relationship with the local populace and are actively capturing those who benefited from Saddam's repressive regime," said Lt. Col. Don Jackson, Division G-5.

1st Battalion, 22nd Infantry Commander Lt. Col. Steven Russell briefed Brownlee and Bremer on recently established joint special and conventional force integration relationships that he said could serve as a viable model for future special operations not only in Iraq, but also in the greater war on terrorism.

"America's soldiers achieved an overwhelming and outstanding victory against a very brutal and repressive regime - now we're engaged in a tough mission to win the peace, your dedicated efforts are key to accomplishing the current phase of this critical operation," said Bremer.

"Your country has asked a lot of you, and you're certainly answering the call. America appreciates your service and the sacrifices of you and your families," Brownlee told soldiers in Tikrit.

Brownlee concluded by commenting on the popular Tom Brokaw book, "America's Greatest Generation."

"By your valiant actions and selfless response to your country's call, today's military forms the basis for another great generation," Brownlee said.

(Editor's note: Lt. Col. Jeremy Martin from Army Public Affairs accompanied Acting Secretary Les Brownlee on the trip to Iraq and provided the information for this article.)