Marines say Iraq stable but in critical phase

By KEVIN MAURER

WILMINGTON, N.C. — Two North Carolina-based Marine Corps commanders say Iraq is stable and more secure as troops move away from combat and into the final, critical phase of building up the Iraqi government.

Col. Matthew Lopez and Col. John K. Love said in interviews from Iraq this week that Marines are no longer focused on tactics or combat, but are instead teaching Iraqi soldiers about logistics and medical care. The Marines are also seeking to ensure Iraqi citizens are getting essential services, including water and electricity.

"This is the area where we have to close the last couple of yards," Love, commander of Camp Lejeune’s Regimental Combat Team 8, told The Associated Press in a phone interview. "We used to measure success by body counts and yardage. Now we measure our success in a different way." 

More than 8,000 Camp Lejeune Marines are currently in the country. The commanders left Camp Lejeune in January for a yearlong tour.

President Barack Obama announced his plans to withdraw all combat troops from Iraq during a speech at Camp Lejeune in February. He said as many as 50,000 troops – about one-third of what is there now – will remain but with a new, noncombat mission. Although troops are expected to engage at times in some sort of fighting, their focus will be to train Iraqis, protect U.S. assets and personnel and conduct anti-terror operations.

It’s a transition from counterinsurgency missions to "true stability operations," Lopez, commander of Camp Lejeune’s Regimental Combat Team 6, said during a phone call from Camp Ramadi, Iraq.

Marines have been in control of western Iraqi area since 2004, helping transform the region from an insurgent hotbed to an emerging democracy, the commanders said.

Lopez said security is better in Ramadi, a historical insurgent stronghold, and there is a burgeoning economy fueled by small business growth and new house construction. The provisional elections earlier this year also strengthened the local government. Lopez said the Iraqis are completing a peaceful transfer of power and in Ramadi, they will soon seat the new council.

Love, who is based near the Syrian border, said the Iraqis are recognizing that "violence is no longer the only way to be recognized."

He said citizens who see insurgents in cities will call local Iraqi police, who promptly make arrests. The main focus is on a 15-man reconstruction team from the U.S. Agency for International Development and other government agencies that is building up essential services including water and power. They are also mentoring local leaders.

"Security is the umbrella so that other things can flourish," Love said.

Lopez expressed similar sentiments. Although Obama’s planned withdrawal does not impact the deployment, Lopez said it has impacted the way Iraqis act toward his troops.

"I think one thing surprising to me is how the Iraqis express appreciation for what American service members have done establishing security," Lopez said.

Both commanders are quick to note that Marines are still putting themselves in harm’s way despite their shifting mission as they work to consoldiate the successes they’ve achieved.

"They know the country has asked them to do a difficult mission," Lopez said, "and they are accomplishing it."