Soldiers on the ground offer mixed assessment

FORWARD OPERATING BASE NORMANDY, Iraq — Behind the recitation of facts and figures by Gen. David H. Petraeus in Capitol Hill testimony beginning today, the fluctuating moods and emotions of U.S. troops here are much harder to gauge.

Do the Americans — many of whom have survived multiple deployments of more than a year at a time — see the surge as a success? Do they see Iraqis making progress, taking responsibility for public safety, their own lives and their nation’s future?

Responses vary from day to day and often depend on when the questions are asked.

When soldiers return from a mission outside the base, the frustrations come fast and furious. Later, when the tension eases and soldiers are a bit more relaxed, responses are far more reflective.

“[The Iraqis] were shocked when we came. When we got here, we walked around and the people didn”t even want to make eye contact with us,” said Sgt. Rudy Parreno of the 3rd Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment. “They were scared. All they heard from al Qaeda were these stereotypical things about American forces. It took them a little while to gain a sense of trust.

“An older man with his family came up to me the other day and said that for the first time, he and his family have been able to have a good night’s rest. That means a lot. That lets you know that everything you’re doing in sector is paying off. You’re making a difference.”

The Stryker regiment has been involved with both urban kinetic combat and rural operations that goes back long before President Bush announced the troop surge more than a year ago.

In 2004 to 2005, the unit was deployed in the northern city of Mosul from their home base in Vilseck, Germany.

In September and October 2007, they fought pitched battles in southeastern Baghdad. In January this year, they chased al Qaeda out of Diyala province’s “breadbasket” region, where al Qaeda had ridden roughshod for the previous two years.

Their mission today is not only to keep terrorists out of the Diyala province, just northeast of Baghdad, but also to help Iraqis take control of their own security, bridge sectarian divides and learn the ropes of local democratic self-governance.

When they left Baghdad, the East Rashid and Dora neighborhoods were returning to life, an early indication that the buildup of U.S. troops was improving public safety in some of the capital’s most dangerous neighborhoods.

Residents driven out by sectarian and terrorist violence were returning; schools and markets were reopening.

“I definitely think what we’ve done has been worth it,” said 1st Lt. Brian Evans, from Oregon. “Just seeing the change in communities from the time we, for example, entered Dora; the effect we have had by our work and just our presence — reassuring people [of their safety] and helping and allowing the [Iraqi army] and [Iraqi police] do their jobs better because we were there.

“The real test of time will be when the surge is over,” Lt. Evans said. “Will the advances made during the surge and the big steps we took forward last, even when we go down to a lesser number of soldiers?”

By and large, soldiers interviewed during the past month are positive about what they have accomplished. They are also disheartened by the 15-month deployment schedule. Most take it in stride — most, but not all.

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