Obama to downsize(like he said)in Iraq by 2010.
- Thread starter rusty
- Start date
? CAMP SPEICHER, Iraq ? At a sandstorm-battered base near Saddam Hussein's hometown, U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer Siwatu Spikes agrees it's nearly about time for combat troops to leave Iraq.
He hopes the Iraqis are ready for it.
It was dinnertime at the sprawling Camp Speicher in north-central Iraq, and Spikes was in the chow hall, glued to one of several wide-screens TVs showing President Barack Obama outlining his plan for withdrawing combat troops by Aug. 31, 2010.
"I like his approach to it because I think we need to start turning over the country to the Iraqis," said Spikes, a 33-year-old Hawaiian serving his third tour here in nearly six years. "I would like to think they are ready. I think we have done a good job training them. Now they need to apply it and sustain it."
"I think they will be OK," he said.
Many U.S. soldiers at the base appeared to echo Obama's message: America's time in Iraq is drawing to a close and Iraqi troops and leaders need to prepare themselves to take charge of their own destiny.
As many as 50,000 noncombat troops will remain in Iraq beyond the August 2010 deadline to advise, train and provide counterterrorism support with all American forces gone by the end of 2011.
Obama's withdrawal schedule, outlined in front of Marines at Camp Lejeune, N.C., suggests that the bulk of the current U.S. military presence in Iraq of about 138,000 troops will remain for the country's nationwide elections expected later this year.
Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki has said he welcomes the withdrawal and urges that it be done "orderly and responsibly." Obama called al-Maliki with the details of the plan before delivering his speech, White House officials said.
Sunni lawmaker Mustafa al-Hiti also applauded Obama's plan, saying it met "the aspirations of many Iraqis who want to see the occupying troops out of their country."
"We have enough confidence in our security forces and we think that there is no chance for a new round of violence in Iraq," he said.
Other Iraqis, however, said they feared the absence of U.S. combat troops could spur violence anew if Iraqi security forces aren't fully prepared.
"Before leaving Iraq, the U.S. Army should do their best to train and equip the Iraqis so that we can confront the dangers that are threatening the country," said Raji Abbas, a Shiite from the southern city of Najaf, where U.S. forces battled militias in 2004.
At Camp Speicher, Army Col. Walter E. Piatt predicted that security forces in at least one province ? Salahuddin in north-central Iraq ? will be ready.
Piatt, commander of the U.S. Army's 3rd Brigade, 25th Infantry Division out of Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, wants to hand over control for all combat operations in the province of 1.1 million people by this summer.
Iraqis have an estimated 16,000 Army soldiers and 16,000 police officers in the province, said Piatt's spokeswoman, Maj. Cathy Wilkinson.
"It's not the deadline in my mind ? they're ready," Piatt told The Associated Press. "The conditions here are ready for us to go to an advisory role. That advisory capacity, as long as it is needed, I strongly feel we should keep it. Because it is what the Iraqis will need."
An estimated 6,000 U.S. troops are based at Camp Speicher, about 85 miles north of Baghdad and near Saddam's hometown of Tikrit.
At the chow hall Friday night, a layer of dust settled over diners and tables alike from one of the worst sandstorms in months raging outside. The cavernous dining hall's walls were covered with college team banners, and flags of U.S. states hung from the ceiling.
Cameras and other personal electronic devices are not allowed inside the mess hall. Before Obama's speech, the military had denied media requests for interviews with U.S. troops about the withdrawal timetable.
A handful of soldiers seemed more interested in a showing of "The Bourne Identity" at the front of the room rather than in Obama's speech.
Not so Staff Sgt. Michael Rosas, 29, from Los Angeles, who worried that Obama's timetable would require troops newly arrived in Iraq for their one-year deployment to stay longer.
"I wonder if we're going to be extended," said Rosas, also out of the Hawaii infantry unit and on his second Iraq tour. "It would be kind of stupid to send a whole new combat force to replace us. It would be a hardship, but it's a hardship of war. It's part of what we signed up for."
Wilkinson, the brigade's spokeswoman, said "there's been absolutely no indication that would happen."
And most troops are eager to go.
Several noted the renewed U.S. military focus in Afghanistan, where Obama just ordered deployments of 17,000 troops by this summer to add to the 38,000 already there. And while threats remain ? and are unpredictable ? security seems to have largely stabilized in much of Iraq.
"We don't need to be here," said Sgt. Jimmy Johnson, 40, from Radcliff, Ky. He deployed from Fort Benning, Ga., and is in his second tour since 2006. "The job is done. Let soldiers go home. Let soldiers be with their families, loved ones."
Staff Sgt. Jeffrey Urbik, 42, of Sacramento, Calif., said the security mission will "evolve with the Iraqis."
"I have every faith we wouldn't leave if they weren't ready," said Urbik, out of Fort Hood.
___
Associated Press Writer Sameer N. Yacoub in Baghdad contributed to this report.
He hopes the Iraqis are ready for it.
It was dinnertime at the sprawling Camp Speicher in north-central Iraq, and Spikes was in the chow hall, glued to one of several wide-screens TVs showing President Barack Obama outlining his plan for withdrawing combat troops by Aug. 31, 2010.
"I like his approach to it because I think we need to start turning over the country to the Iraqis," said Spikes, a 33-year-old Hawaiian serving his third tour here in nearly six years. "I would like to think they are ready. I think we have done a good job training them. Now they need to apply it and sustain it."
"I think they will be OK," he said.
Many U.S. soldiers at the base appeared to echo Obama's message: America's time in Iraq is drawing to a close and Iraqi troops and leaders need to prepare themselves to take charge of their own destiny.
As many as 50,000 noncombat troops will remain in Iraq beyond the August 2010 deadline to advise, train and provide counterterrorism support with all American forces gone by the end of 2011.
Obama's withdrawal schedule, outlined in front of Marines at Camp Lejeune, N.C., suggests that the bulk of the current U.S. military presence in Iraq of about 138,000 troops will remain for the country's nationwide elections expected later this year.
Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki has said he welcomes the withdrawal and urges that it be done "orderly and responsibly." Obama called al-Maliki with the details of the plan before delivering his speech, White House officials said.
Sunni lawmaker Mustafa al-Hiti also applauded Obama's plan, saying it met "the aspirations of many Iraqis who want to see the occupying troops out of their country."
"We have enough confidence in our security forces and we think that there is no chance for a new round of violence in Iraq," he said.
Other Iraqis, however, said they feared the absence of U.S. combat troops could spur violence anew if Iraqi security forces aren't fully prepared.
"Before leaving Iraq, the U.S. Army should do their best to train and equip the Iraqis so that we can confront the dangers that are threatening the country," said Raji Abbas, a Shiite from the southern city of Najaf, where U.S. forces battled militias in 2004.
At Camp Speicher, Army Col. Walter E. Piatt predicted that security forces in at least one province ? Salahuddin in north-central Iraq ? will be ready.
Piatt, commander of the U.S. Army's 3rd Brigade, 25th Infantry Division out of Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, wants to hand over control for all combat operations in the province of 1.1 million people by this summer.
Iraqis have an estimated 16,000 Army soldiers and 16,000 police officers in the province, said Piatt's spokeswoman, Maj. Cathy Wilkinson.
"It's not the deadline in my mind ? they're ready," Piatt told The Associated Press. "The conditions here are ready for us to go to an advisory role. That advisory capacity, as long as it is needed, I strongly feel we should keep it. Because it is what the Iraqis will need."
An estimated 6,000 U.S. troops are based at Camp Speicher, about 85 miles north of Baghdad and near Saddam's hometown of Tikrit.
At the chow hall Friday night, a layer of dust settled over diners and tables alike from one of the worst sandstorms in months raging outside. The cavernous dining hall's walls were covered with college team banners, and flags of U.S. states hung from the ceiling.
Cameras and other personal electronic devices are not allowed inside the mess hall. Before Obama's speech, the military had denied media requests for interviews with U.S. troops about the withdrawal timetable.
A handful of soldiers seemed more interested in a showing of "The Bourne Identity" at the front of the room rather than in Obama's speech.
Not so Staff Sgt. Michael Rosas, 29, from Los Angeles, who worried that Obama's timetable would require troops newly arrived in Iraq for their one-year deployment to stay longer.
"I wonder if we're going to be extended," said Rosas, also out of the Hawaii infantry unit and on his second Iraq tour. "It would be kind of stupid to send a whole new combat force to replace us. It would be a hardship, but it's a hardship of war. It's part of what we signed up for."
Wilkinson, the brigade's spokeswoman, said "there's been absolutely no indication that would happen."
And most troops are eager to go.
Several noted the renewed U.S. military focus in Afghanistan, where Obama just ordered deployments of 17,000 troops by this summer to add to the 38,000 already there. And while threats remain ? and are unpredictable ? security seems to have largely stabilized in much of Iraq.
"We don't need to be here," said Sgt. Jimmy Johnson, 40, from Radcliff, Ky. He deployed from Fort Benning, Ga., and is in his second tour since 2006. "The job is done. Let soldiers go home. Let soldiers be with their families, loved ones."
Staff Sgt. Jeffrey Urbik, 42, of Sacramento, Calif., said the security mission will "evolve with the Iraqis."
"I have every faith we wouldn't leave if they weren't ready," said Urbik, out of Fort Hood.
___
Associated Press Writer Sameer N. Yacoub in Baghdad contributed to this report.
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One more thing.
With Bush suceeding(for the most part) in Iraq.
And Obama following up with a timetable for withdrawal,way to go Both sides!!
But somehow I dont think(sadly)that this will be recognized.That IMO is what makes this country suffer.
Both partys at times should be recognized for there good ,not always blasted for there wrong.
Anyways.
Cheers!:mj06: l
With Bush suceeding(for the most part) in Iraq.
And Obama following up with a timetable for withdrawal,way to go Both sides!!
But somehow I dont think(sadly)that this will be recognized.That IMO is what makes this country suffer.
Both partys at times should be recognized for there good ,not always blasted for there wrong.
Anyways.
Cheers!:mj06: l
I would like to thank Obama for the exit strategy and Al-Qaeda wants to thank you (Obama) for the entrance strategy.
- Feb 26, 2001
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Being from Mass you must read same papers as Stevie--
Actually this is what O said depending on what time frame and who he was saying it to
Oct 2007- ?I will remove one or two brigades a month, and get all of our combat troops out of Iraq within 16 months."
"I have put forward a plan that will get our troops out by the end of 2009."
2008 Democratic debate in Las Vegas Jan 15, 2008
O most current (yesterday) analogy is--
CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. ? President Obama declared the beginning of the end of one of the longest and most divisive wars in American history on Friday as he announced that he would withdraw combat forces from Iraq by August 2010 and all remaining troops by December 2011.
Now prior to GW leaving office-
date aug 22 2008
Yesterday, the U.S. agreed to remove combat troops from Iraqi cities by next June and from the country by the end of 2011. According to Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, the two countries agreed on forming ?aspirational timetables? for withdrawal:
:0corn
You liberals are a funny lot--all obie did was go back on what he said prior--and follow GW plan.
Saw a segment on Glenn Beck the other night that pretty well sums up above--
"Today, President George W. Bush nominated another tax cheat for his Cabinet"
"In an unprecedented move, President Bush has asked to move control over the census to the White House; it will now be run by Karl Rove"
"President Bush quietly OKs a massive troop surge in Afghanistan, sending 17,000 additional troops; refusing to hold a news conference or answer any questions"
"President Bush has said he will leave up to 50,000 troops in Iraq, after months of promising drawdown."
"The night after George W. Bush proclaimed we all have to make economic sacrifices, he introduced an unprecedented $3.6 trillion budget."
"Bush raises taxes by a trillion dollars to cover out-of-control spending."
"Bush takes first big step toward bank nationalization, buying a 36 percent share in Citigroup."
Now, substitute "Obama" for "Bush" and those stories go from the front page to page E-12.
Now prior to GW leaving office-
date aug 22 2008
Yesterday, the U.S. agreed to remove combat troops from Iraqi cities by next June and from the country by the end of 2011. According to Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, the two countries agreed on forming ?aspirational timetables? for withdrawal:
:0corn
which the Democrats called for since 2004, but Bush dismissed as "setting a date for failure." I wish I had a selective memory - would make things alot easier
These kind of statements burn up guys like DTB and Weasel. I think their blackwater stock took a tumble.
But Jimmy Johnson could be white or black - so we're unsure on how much weight can be put on their comments
You liberals are quite funny--this is similiar to BBC video of 4 guys A.P. could hunt out--
I'm sure you couldn't have missed this "one soilders" opinion Spongie as appears you got 100/1 ratio of liberal media reporting on it per soilder that said it-- You liberals sure get bang for buck out one opinion
Web Results 1 - 10 of about 68,300 for we don't need to be here said sgt jimmy johnson. (0.31 seconds)
Search ResultsUS troops say Iraqis ready for Obama timetable - wtop.comFeb 27, 2009 ... "We don't need to be here," said Sgt. Jimmy Johnson, 40, from Radcliff, Ky. He deployed from Fort Benning, Ga., and is in his second tour ...
www.wtop.com/?nid=105&pid=0&sid=1612487&page=2 - Similar pages
US troops say Iraqis ready for Obama timetable - The Mainichi ...Feb 28, 2009 ... "We don't need to be here," said Sgt. Jimmy Johnson, 40, from Radcliff, Kentucky. He deployed from Fort Benning, Georgia, ...
mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/international/news/20090228p2g00m0in004000c.html - 6 hours ago - Similar pages
AP Wire Stories"We don't need to be here," said Sgt. Jimmy Johnson, 40, from Radcliff, Ky. He deployed from Fort Benning, Ga., and is in his second tour since 2006. ...
customwire.ap.org/dynamic/stories/M/ML_IRAQ_OBAMA?SITE=FLROC&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE...200... - 16 hours ago - Similar pages
US troops say Iraqis ready for Obama timetable - Netscape NewsFeb 27, 2009 ... ``We don't need to be here,'' said Sgt. Jimmy Johnson, 40, from Radcliff, Ky. He deployed from Fort Benning, Ga., and is in his second tour ...
www.gateway.net/news/story.jsp?floc=ne-story-9-l2&idq=/ff/story/0001/20090227/1637757539.htm&sc... - 17 hours ago - Similar pages
U.S. forces say Iraqis ready for Obama timetable | WSLS 10Feb 27, 2009 ... ?We don?t need to be here,? said Sgt. Jimmy Johnson, 40, from Radcliff, Ky. He deployed from Fort Benning, Ga., and is in his second tour ...
www.wsls.com/sls/news/national/article/u.s._forces_say_iraqis_ready_for_obama_timetable/29228/ - 17 hours ago - Similar pages
Troops say Iraqis ready for Obama timetable | Freep.com | Detroit ...Feb 27, 2009 ... CAMP SPEICHER, Iraq ? 'We don't need to be here,' said Sgt. Jimmy Johnson, 40, from Radcliff, Kentucky. 'The job is done.
www.freep.com/article/20090227/NEWS07/90227101/1285 - Similar pages
FILENAME: /AP/a/2009/02/27/international/i133736S08.DTL = raw: /AP ...Feb 27, 2009 ... </p> <p>"We don't need to be here," said Sgt. Jimmy Johnson, 40, from Radcliff, Ky. He deployed from Fort Benning, Ga., and is in his second ...
www.sfgate.com/n/a/2009/02/27/international/i133736S08.DTL - 17 hours ago - Similar pages
Obama sets 18-month deadline in Iraq | Nation | Star-Telegram.comFeb 28, 2009 ... "We don?t need to be here," said Sgt. Jimmy Johnson, 40, from Fort Benning, who is in his second tour since 2006. "The job is done. ...
www.star-telegram.com/238/story/1230440.html - 9 hours ago - Similar pages
Iraqis should prepare now for US withdrawal, troops say - The ...Feb 28, 2009 ... "We don't need to be here," said Sergeant Jimmy Johnson, 40, from Radcliff, Ky. He deployed from Fort Benning, Ga., and is in his second ...
www.boston.com/news/world/middleeas...uld_prepare_now_for_us_withdrawal_troops_say/ - 9 hours ago - Similar pages
Troops: Time to leave Iraq to the Iraqis | ajc.comFeb 28, 2009 ... ?We don?t need to be here,? said Sgt. Jimmy Johnson, 40, from Radcliff, Ky., who deployed from Georgia?s Fort Benning and is in his second ...
www.ajc.com/services/content/news/stories/2009/02/28/iraqside0228.html - 7 hours ago - Similar pages
--and that was just 1st page of search
