Team Infidel
Forum Spin Doctor
Fairbanks Daily News-Miner
June 6, 2008 By Chris Freiberg
The commanding general of the U.S. Army in the Pacific said Thursday that he sees the lack of media attention for the Iraq War as a sign progress is being made in the country.
“It’s interesting the amount of media attention there was while we were, quite frankly, struggling with the insurgency,” Lt. Gen Benjamin Mixon said at a Fairbanks meeting of the Association of the United States Army, a civilian support organization. “But all of a sudden there’s not a lot of coverage, and I attribute that to the current success in Iraq.”
Mixon, who assumed command in February, was in Fairbanks to review the progress of the 1st Brigade, 25th Infantry Stryker Brigade Combat Team. The brigade is in the process of shipping equipment and vehicles to California for training. It is scheduled to deploy to Iraq in the fall.
“They’re very confident,” he said. “Their equipment is in good shape. They’re looking very good.”
He said he was pleased with the support the Fairbanks community was showing for the brigade, and hoped to see the same level of support the community gave to the 172nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team when it was deployed in 2005. The 172nd has since been reflagged as the 1-25th.
The general acknowledged that the mission of the Army has changed since the invasion of Iraq in March 2003 to one now of rebuilding the country. But as the war has gone on, the mental health needs of soldiers have also changed, with more and more veterans of Iraq, and Afghanistan as well, returning with post traumatic stress disorder.
Mixon noted that cases of PTSD vary widely, with some veterans having mild cases, and others showing serious symptoms. However, he said, more services have become available to soldiers than before the war.
Despite receiving positive reports from commanders on the ground in Iraq, Mixon warned that the war is far from over, and the Army still needs the support of the American people to complete their mission.
“Whether you agree or disagree with the reasons for going to war, I think we as Americans all agree we have to leave the country stable,” Mixon said, noting that large portions of the country’s security have been turned over to the Iraqi military and police. “But it’s going to remain a tough fight, and we’re going to have to remain in Iraq for a while.”
June 6, 2008 By Chris Freiberg
The commanding general of the U.S. Army in the Pacific said Thursday that he sees the lack of media attention for the Iraq War as a sign progress is being made in the country.
“It’s interesting the amount of media attention there was while we were, quite frankly, struggling with the insurgency,” Lt. Gen Benjamin Mixon said at a Fairbanks meeting of the Association of the United States Army, a civilian support organization. “But all of a sudden there’s not a lot of coverage, and I attribute that to the current success in Iraq.”
Mixon, who assumed command in February, was in Fairbanks to review the progress of the 1st Brigade, 25th Infantry Stryker Brigade Combat Team. The brigade is in the process of shipping equipment and vehicles to California for training. It is scheduled to deploy to Iraq in the fall.
“They’re very confident,” he said. “Their equipment is in good shape. They’re looking very good.”
He said he was pleased with the support the Fairbanks community was showing for the brigade, and hoped to see the same level of support the community gave to the 172nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team when it was deployed in 2005. The 172nd has since been reflagged as the 1-25th.
The general acknowledged that the mission of the Army has changed since the invasion of Iraq in March 2003 to one now of rebuilding the country. But as the war has gone on, the mental health needs of soldiers have also changed, with more and more veterans of Iraq, and Afghanistan as well, returning with post traumatic stress disorder.
Mixon noted that cases of PTSD vary widely, with some veterans having mild cases, and others showing serious symptoms. However, he said, more services have become available to soldiers than before the war.
Despite receiving positive reports from commanders on the ground in Iraq, Mixon warned that the war is far from over, and the Army still needs the support of the American people to complete their mission.
“Whether you agree or disagree with the reasons for going to war, I think we as Americans all agree we have to leave the country stable,” Mixon said, noting that large portions of the country’s security have been turned over to the Iraqi military and police. “But it’s going to remain a tough fight, and we’re going to have to remain in Iraq for a while.”