Team Infidel
Forum Spin Doctor
Tampa Tribune
September 15, 2007 By Karen Branch-Brioso, The Tampa Tribune
TAMPA - Vice President Dick Cheney lauded military personnel at MacDill Air Force Base on Friday for their support in the Iraq war in a speech echoing President Bush's plans for a slow troop withdrawal over the next year.
"We understand the consequences of getting out before the job is done," Cheney told an audience of more than 600 soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines clad in camouflage battle dress.
"All of you here at Centcom are doing the right thing, in the right way, and at the right time. Your success will make our nation more secure."
Cheney was received politely for his 25-minute speech, which he gave before receiving a classified briefing at the base. MacDill is headquarters for U.S. Central Command, which provides security and conducts counterinsurgency operations in Afghanistan and Iraq. It also is home base for Special Operations Command, which leads joint special operations in the war on terrorism. MacDill also is home to the 6th Air Mobility Wing that handles air refueling and airlifts worldwide for both Centcom and Socom.
Many in the audience have a personal stake in the changes Bush and Cheney announced for operations in Iraq. Many, including several among the 25 military personnel seated on stage behind Cheney, had recently returned from deployment.
"A lot of you have taken your turn in battle and I know would like to be in there now," Cheney said. "I realize it's not always satisfying to be here in Florida while your comrades are in the field. But your experiences have given you the knowledge to draw the plans and think of the tactics that we need in order to prevail in this very tough fight."
Cheney reiterated Bush's plan, outlined in Thursday night's televised speech, which called for reducing troop levels in Iraq from 20 brigades to 15 by next year. He said, as Bush did, that the gradual drawdown of troops is because of successes in the war in Iraq, which he attributed to this year's bolstering of troops, which has brought levels to 160,000.
Cheney said 2,200 Marines will leave Anbar province in two weeks - and "we won't need American forces to replace them."
"Conditions in Iraq are changing for the better," he said.
The vice president was greeted with mostly silence during his speech, save for the clicking of digital and cell phone cameras.
Cheney's arrival was preceded by six minutes of silence as audience members rose to their feet when Col. Robert Thomas, the 6th Air Mobility Wing commander, arrived and shook hands with U.S. Rep. Bill Young, R-Indian Shores, one of the few civilians in the base's theater.
The crowd stood until Centcom Commander Admiral William J. Fallon stepped onto the stage and introduced Cheney, emphasizing the vice president's tenure as secretary of defense during Desert Storm. Then they broke their silence with applause.
The crowd rose with similar applause after Cheney's speech.
He concluded it by reminding the troops: "We don't take you for granted. … I leave today just as I came - with the utmost respect and gratitude for the men and women of Centcom and MacDill for our good allies in this fight and for the silent professionals of the Special Operations Command."
Cheney left at 2:58 p.m. with a wave and a large black notebook under his arm. After his classified briefing, his motorcade swept him to the flight line and Air Force 2, which left MacDill at 4:55 p.m.
September 15, 2007 By Karen Branch-Brioso, The Tampa Tribune
TAMPA - Vice President Dick Cheney lauded military personnel at MacDill Air Force Base on Friday for their support in the Iraq war in a speech echoing President Bush's plans for a slow troop withdrawal over the next year.
"We understand the consequences of getting out before the job is done," Cheney told an audience of more than 600 soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines clad in camouflage battle dress.
"All of you here at Centcom are doing the right thing, in the right way, and at the right time. Your success will make our nation more secure."
Cheney was received politely for his 25-minute speech, which he gave before receiving a classified briefing at the base. MacDill is headquarters for U.S. Central Command, which provides security and conducts counterinsurgency operations in Afghanistan and Iraq. It also is home base for Special Operations Command, which leads joint special operations in the war on terrorism. MacDill also is home to the 6th Air Mobility Wing that handles air refueling and airlifts worldwide for both Centcom and Socom.
Many in the audience have a personal stake in the changes Bush and Cheney announced for operations in Iraq. Many, including several among the 25 military personnel seated on stage behind Cheney, had recently returned from deployment.
"A lot of you have taken your turn in battle and I know would like to be in there now," Cheney said. "I realize it's not always satisfying to be here in Florida while your comrades are in the field. But your experiences have given you the knowledge to draw the plans and think of the tactics that we need in order to prevail in this very tough fight."
Cheney reiterated Bush's plan, outlined in Thursday night's televised speech, which called for reducing troop levels in Iraq from 20 brigades to 15 by next year. He said, as Bush did, that the gradual drawdown of troops is because of successes in the war in Iraq, which he attributed to this year's bolstering of troops, which has brought levels to 160,000.
Cheney said 2,200 Marines will leave Anbar province in two weeks - and "we won't need American forces to replace them."
"Conditions in Iraq are changing for the better," he said.
The vice president was greeted with mostly silence during his speech, save for the clicking of digital and cell phone cameras.
Cheney's arrival was preceded by six minutes of silence as audience members rose to their feet when Col. Robert Thomas, the 6th Air Mobility Wing commander, arrived and shook hands with U.S. Rep. Bill Young, R-Indian Shores, one of the few civilians in the base's theater.
The crowd stood until Centcom Commander Admiral William J. Fallon stepped onto the stage and introduced Cheney, emphasizing the vice president's tenure as secretary of defense during Desert Storm. Then they broke their silence with applause.
The crowd rose with similar applause after Cheney's speech.
He concluded it by reminding the troops: "We don't take you for granted. … I leave today just as I came - with the utmost respect and gratitude for the men and women of Centcom and MacDill for our good allies in this fight and for the silent professionals of the Special Operations Command."
Cheney left at 2:58 p.m. with a wave and a large black notebook under his arm. After his classified briefing, his motorcade swept him to the flight line and Air Force 2, which left MacDill at 4:55 p.m.