Wherever the US military goes, working with the locals (winning hearts and minds so to speak) is almost as important (if not more) than the amount of firepower we bring to bear on wherever we happen to be in the world. Or our air dominance. Or our dominance on the open seas. More important than all the hardware is soldiers and generals and everyone in between comes together to remember the big picture of what’s going on.
In Iraq, we’ve been there a while now and things are getting better all the time. This is because we’ve worked so closely with the locals on the ground in different areas of that country. It has taken a while to rebuild (and the rebuilding is still happening), but things are looking up. More and more every day, every week, every month. Pretty soon, things will be better there than they have been in a long, long time. This is because of the military’s commitment to winning over the people and getting them involved.
On the other side of Iran (aka Afghanistan), we’re starting to really see signs of all the seeds we’ve planted in that country. It’s not only poppy flowers growing. Relationships – man to man, country to country – are happening all over and the people – the everyday people like you and I – they’re standing up and saying, “no more!” And with our help, they’re taking control of their country from those that would torture and destroy.
As for Iran? Well, I haven’t talked about that much yet. President Obama seems to have handled it okay, I think. What do you think?
Sgt. Stryker out.
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Soldiers Visit Iraqi Kids During Convoy Security Halt
U.S. Soldiers from Headquarters Troop, 1st Squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, talk with Iraqi kids in Maysan province during a security halt on a tactical convoy from Forward Operating Base Hunter to al Sheeb, Iraq, Jan. 24. Photo by Staff Sgt. Brendan Stephens
Marine Expeditionary Brigade-Afghanistan Soldier Establishes Rapport With Locals Outside Bastion
A soldier from the Afghan national army steps through a poppy field during a foot patrol, Thursday, June 4, in Settlement Two outside of Camp Bastion in Helmand province, Afghanistan. The ANA soldiers were able to establish a vehicle check point before the patrol, helping them gain control of the area. Photo by Cpl. Michael Curvin
Army Capt. Steven J. Lacy, a team leader with Human Terrain Team, Marine Expeditionary Brigade-Afghanistan, is flanked by a soldier with the Afghan national army during a foot patrol, Thursday, June 4, in Settlement Two outside of Camp Bastion in Helmand province, Afghanistan. Lacy had an opportunity to speak with many villagers during the patrol to better understand their needs. Photo by Cpl. Michael Curvin
A soldier with the U.K. distributes candy to an Afghan boy, Thursday, June 4, in Settlement Two outside of Camp Bastion in Helmand province, Afghanistan. Service members with Marine Expeditionary Brigade-Afghanistan, the U.K. Army and Afghan national army worked together to man a vehicle checkpoint patrol through the settlement. Photo by Cpl. Michael Curvin
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