Forces winning Iraqi ‘hearts, minds’

  • Published
  • By Senior Master Sgt. Gene LaDoucer
  • 506th Air Expeditionary Group Public Affairs
KIRKUK AIR BASE, Iraq (AFPN) --  While overwhelming force brought a quick end to major combat operations in Iraq, it is the coalition’s ability to win over its people that will ultimately lead to a free Iraq, said U.S. Central Command’s deputy commander.

During a quick visit here Jan. 12, the first of three in a daylong tour of military bases in Iraq, Lt. Gen. Lance Smith spoke highly of the efforts of U.S. forces in establishing security and stability in Iraq. He was also quick to praise the efforts of Iraqis who have stepped forward to turn in weapons and identify anti-coalition forces.

“The people of Iraq are starting to realize they’re the ones who’ll have to do this and they’re coming forward,” said the general, who later made stops at Tallil Air Base and Baghdad International Airport. “We’re looking to them to take more of a leadership role.”

General Smith pointed to the Jan. 5 denouncement of violence by high-level Ba’ath Party members as an example of the cooperation helping stabilize the country. During a meeting at a U.S. Army headquarters in Tallafar, a member of Saddam Hussein’s former political party, said he is confident that by helping coalition forces Iraqis will see swift and sure amendments to the years of poverty and hardship many in the country have endured.

“Once they realized we were here to help, many of them started coming forward telling us where the (improvised explosive devices) were. Many of them also came forward with the location of anti-coalition members, and we’re seeing a lot of turning-in of weapons,” the general said.

While progress is being made, General Smith, who became CENTCOM’s second in command in October, said challenges remain.

“We’ve watched the number of significant events (against coalition forces) decline considerably, but we’ve seen an increase in attacks on Iraqis who are supporting the coalition,” he said. “We’re working that piece now, which doesn’t work in the favor of the anti-coalition folks out there.

“I won’t say we’ve turned the corner or that there is light at the end of the tunnel, but our soldiers, airmen, Marines and sailors are winning over the Iraqi people. I think we’re on track to leave behind a free and fledgling democracy when we depart here,” he said.

Visitors to Iraq come away with a “clear understanding of the dedication and professionalism” of the members of the armed forces they meet, the general said.

But perhaps more importantly is what the Iraqi people think.

“The Iraqi people themselves are starting to realize the quality of the soldiers who are here trying to do this mission,” he said. “The future of Iraqi will rest not with just the combat capability of all our troops but their ability win over the hearts and minds. We’re working hard on that and it’s our guys out in the field, like the folks here, that are making that happen.”