Posted on 11/19/2006 2:28:09 PM PST by SandRat
WASHINGTON — Two years ago, much of the Iraqi city of Fallujah had suffered severe damage after some of the hardest fighting seen since the country was liberated by U.S. and Coalition Forces in the spring of 2003.
Today, construction across Fallujah is booming, and the city’s 400,000-resident population is growing, Marine Col. Larry D. Nicholson, commander of Regimental Combat Team 5, told Pentagon reporters today from Fallujah during a satellite-televised news conference.
Nicholson has commanded RCT-5’s Marines, Soldiers and Sailors since February. The unit’s primary mission, he said, is to train and develop Iraqi Soldiers and police within his 1,800-square-mile area of operations in Anbar province.
Yet, security development is just one of RCT-5’s many missions, the colonel said, noting his troops also work with local Iraqi officials, tribal sheiks and religious leaders to bolster area governance and economic development.
Fallujah is famous, Nicholson recalled, as being the site of Operation Al-Fajr (the Dawn, in Arabic), also known as Operation Phantom Fury. A joint U.S.-Iraqi military offensive including U.S. Marines and Soldiers was launched Nov. 7, 2004, to clear rebel lodgments from the city. The insurgents were defeated, and the operation was concluded Dec. 23.
Prior to the battle, the insurgents had free rein in Fallujah, Nicholson said, noting the hard-fought victory — often involving house-to-house fighting by U.S. Marines and Soldiers — broke the enemy’s control over the city.
In the past two years, U.S. and Iraqi Forces “have aggressively worked to make Fallujah a model of progress” and cooperation, Nicholson said. And today, he noted, Fallujah is one of the most forward-looking cities in Iraq.
The Iraqi Government has provided $70 million for the rebuilding of Fallujah residences that were damaged or destroyed during the fighting two years ago, Nicholson said. Fallujah has an elected mayor and a functional city council, the colonel noted, that work with U.S. and Coalition Forces. The city has a police force, he noted, and it also hosts a brigade of Iraqi Soldiers.
“Each of these elements of government, police and the Iraqi army work alongside the Marines, Sailors and Soldiers of RCT-5 every day to solve the city’s challenges,” Nicholson said.
To illustrate Fallujah’s progress, Nicholson pointed to the reduced number of U.S. troops stationed in the city. In March 2005 at the end of his previous duty tour in Iraq, the colonel recalled, about 3,000 U.S. Marines and Soldiers were operating in Fallujah. Upon his return to Iraq this February, Nicholson observed, about 300 U.S. troops were operating in Fallujah.
“That is a significant measure of progress under any scale,” he pointed out.
Also, Fallujah had no police force in March 2005, Nicholson recalled. Today, he noted, the city boasts more than 700 Iraqi Police officers.
Routine teamwork and pragmatism employed by U.S., Coalition and Iraqi officials has greatly contributed to the city’s success, Nicholson said.
Fallujah’s progress has made it a beacon of hope for many beleaguered Sunnis fleeing the violence in Baghdad, Nicholson said.
“While the fleeing of Sunni citizens from Baghdad is in itself a tragedy, the fact that Fallujah has become the overwhelming destination of choice for those seeking refuge and peace is a great testament to the work done here in Fallujah by the Coalition Forces, the Iraqi Forces, and the local government,” Nicholson said.
Geez, good news. Guess we'll be hearing about it in the MSM real soon....NOT!
Fallujah doesn't even exist anymore according to the MSM.
Not the news they want. So it is wiped from the map.
If the MSM SOBs would print these stories instead of every drop of blood & gore ONCE IN A WHILE...not only might we still be in control of Govt, but our troops might not get hit by so much demoralizing news
Once again, I have to thank you SandRat....I am always on the lookout for your threads...I know YOU show us the stories that the MSM won't.
The city is doing better because it's one of the only places where we kicked some serious ass.How can we win a war without killing the enemy and removing his weapons?
Ping
Got in an email thought ya'all-id like it
Some people just have a way with words...
So we at http://TroopsSupport.com will pass this note and link along...
I am thankful for all of the men and women who have chosen to defend this nation. They were on duty last night and my family was safe because they put themselves between me and the people who want to kill me.
I am thankful because I didn't have to crouch in the bottom of a foxhole last night with mortars, rockets and artillery exploding all around. I didn't have to worry that the car going down the street would explode in front of my house. I am thankful that I didn't have to get up this morning and clean the water, mud and sand from my rifle. I didn't have to worry about these things because of the wonderful young Americans who have volunteered to serve in our military forces.
I pledge to everyone serving this nation that I will do everything I can to ensure you have everything you need to do your jobs and complete your missions. I will continue to work to ensure this nation fulfills its promises to its veterans.
I want to thank all of you for allowing me to intrude into your lives with the never-ending emails.
Thank you for your wonderful responses.
B. White
Tucson
From Evalyn:
Something special to help us remember what is important this Thanksgiving....
Takes two minutes.......and is worth it.
Click here: Thanksgiving http://www.cpmsglife.org/tg/2006tdm1.html
Ditto Tex's sentiments, Rat. Your threads are a reason to be on Free Republic.
It is so hard to know the truth in Iraq from the media. They talk about Iraq, pointing to problems in various areas as an indictment on the whole country. It would be like looking at the slums of the US and ignoring the vast majority of this great and safe country.
I must admit I fall victim to it at times. Thank you for posting this.
The bias reporting on this war is beyond reason. Got to wonder if anybody in the MSM suffers even a hint of guilt over prolonging this war?
I'd love to know how many Americans really know about this. What is implied by the MSM only Americans torture.
I'm sure that they are many places in Iraq an American would be safer than most places in urban America.
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