Looks like the Obamessiah is backing off of that "bring the troops home now" thing:

White House Weighing 23-Month Iraq Withdrawal Plan

Friday, February 06, 2009

WASHINGTON -- The Obama administration is weighing three different military options for withdrawing troops from Iraq -- including the possibility of breaking Obama's campaign pledge of a pullout within 16 months -- a senior U.S. official confirmed to FOX News.

One of the options is along the lines of Obama's campaign pledge of 16 months, and the Joint Chiefs of Staff have drawn up what that would entail.

The second option envisions about 23 months for combat forces to leave, an option that many of the military leaders favor because it would not require leaving so much equipment behind. It also could be done in a more orderly manner, and bases could be cleaned up and closed properly, the U.S. official told FOX News.

An earlier report by the Associated Press, citing two officials, said a third, in-between option of 19 months is also being weighed. One of the officials told the Associated Press that the main focus appears to be on the 16-month and 23-month options; 23 months would run to the end of 2010.

OK, kudos to the President if he's looked at things and said, "You know, my initial idea just isn't going to work, let's look at something else."

But I won't hold my breath waiting for him to admit that maybe some folks on the other side got it right, and his party has it wrong.

The full story is here.

Labels: Iraq, Operation Iraqi Freedom, politics, President Barack H. Obama

Airpower Summary for Sept. 27, 2007
An F-16 Fighting Falcon approaches a KC-135 Stratotanker over central Iraq to refuel while supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Erik Hofmeyer)

Labels: aircraft, F-16, Fighting Falcons, Iraq, KC-135, Operation Iraqi Freedom, photos, refueling, Stratotanker, USAF

Welcome Home, Job Well Done, and THANK YOU to all of these brave heroes, now safely back home after nearly two years away from their families.



Soldiers assigned to the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 34th Infantry Division, "Red Bulls" finally land late at Volk Field, Wis,, July 15, 2007. A majority of the soldiers have just completed a 22-month tour of duty in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Lynette Hoke


Soldiers assigned to the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 34th Infantry Division, wait in line to turn in their weapons after a 22-month tour in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, July 15, 2007. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Lynette Hoke


A soldier assigned to the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 34th Infantry Division "Red Bulls" is welcomed home at Volk Field in Wis., July 15, 2007. A majority of the soldiers have just completed a 22-month tour of duty in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Photo courtesy of the Minnesota National Guard


Soldiers assigned to the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 34th Infantry Division "Red Bulls" disembark at Volk Field in Wis., July 15, 2007. Photo courtesy of the Minnesota National Guard


A soldier assigned to the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 34th Infantry Division "Red Bulls" is welcomed home at Volk Field in Wis., July 15, 2007. Photo courtesy of the Minnesota National Guard


(left) 34th Infantry Division commanding general Maj. Gen. Rick Erladson greets 1/34th Brigade Combat Team returning Commander Col. David Elicerio (right) as he steps off the plane during the disembarkation of several units returning with the 1/34th Brigade Combat Team at Volk Field, Wis., July 15, 2007. The 1/34th Brigade Combat Team is returning from Iraq after approximately two years of mobilization in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Joe Roos


Spc. Cassie McCane, Minnesota Joint Force Headquarters, hugs her dad, Master Sgt. John Schwartz as he steps off the plane during the disembarkation of several units returning with the 1/34th Brigade Combat Team at Volk Field, Wis., July 15, 2007. The 1/34th Brigade Combat Team is returning from Iraq after approximately two years of mobilization in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Joe Roos



More photo essays at DefendAmerica

Labels: 34th Infantry, Operation Iraqi Freedom, photo essays, photos, Red Bulls, US Army, Welcome Home

F-15E Strike Eagles, similar to this one refueling over Iraq, play a critical role daily in providing close-air support to ground forces in contact with anti-Iraqi forces as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Brian Ferguson)

Labels: aircraft, F-15E, Iraq, Operation Iraqi Freedom, photos, refueling, Strike Eagle, USAF

A Soldier with Company A, 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, from Fort Lewis, Wash., pulls security during a night mission in Baqubah, Iraq, March 25. Soldiers of the Stryker battalion arrived in the city on March 13 to reinforce recent successes made by the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Antonieta Rico, 5th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment)




Soldiers with Company A, 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, from Fort Lewis Wash., move through the outskirts of palm groves in Baqubah, Iraq, during a night mission March 25. Soldiers of the Stryker battalion arrived in the city on March 13 to reinforce recent successes made by the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Antonieta Rico, 5th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment)



Soldiers with Company A, 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, from Fort Lewis Wash., talk inside of a building they searched during a night mission in Baqubah, Iraq, March 25. Soldiers of the Stryker battalion arrived in the city on March 13 to reinforce recent successes made by the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Antonieta Rico, 5th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment)



A Soldier with Company A, 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, from Fort Lewis, Wash., monitors his tactical radio inside of a building Soldiers of Co. A searched during a night mission in Baqubah, Iraq, March 25. Soldiers of the Stryker battalion arrived in the city on March 13 to reinforce recent successes made by the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Antonieta Rico, 5th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment)

Labels: 1st Cavalry Division, 3SBCT, 5-20 Infantry, Baqubah, Iraq, Operation Iraqi Freedom, photos, US Army

Phoenix

Labels: Appeal for Courage, Iraq, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Supporting the troops

Mohammed Maroof Hussein, the Balad Ruz mayor, and Col. Farris, the Balad Ruz director of police discuss essential services and security with Col. David W. Sutherland, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division commander and senior U.S. Army officer in the Diyala province, during a meeting at Kirkush Military Training Base, Saturday. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Serena Hayden, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division Public Affairs)


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PR# 03107-01
March 10, 2007

BALAD RUZ, Iraq – The Balad Ruz mayor and director of police met with the commander of the 5th Iraqi Army Division and the senior Coalition Forces commander, Saturday, to discuss services and security for the people throughout the region.

Mohammed Maroof Hussein, the Balad Ruz mayor, and Col. Farris, the Balad Ruz director of police, spoke with Maj. Gen. Shakur Hulail Husayn, the 5th IA Division commander, and Col. David W. Sutherland, the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division commander, to determine solutions for the fuel, food, and essential services in Balad Ruz.

The mayor, when speaking of his three concerns, said he realizes the issues are interrelated and affect the entire city.

“The mayor asked for this meeting with the Iraqi security leadership to address the concerns of the people,” said Sutherland. “He is fighting for them to express the reality of the situation. This is democracy at work and shows the trust the people have in the Iraqi Security Forces. The Coalition Forces will surely support the ISF in their efforts.”

While the mayor was concerned about food, fuel and essential services, he did say security has greatly improved in the area since the IA and CF defeated the terrorists south of Balad Ruz.

“My goal is to help with security first, then services,” said Mohammed, who said he continues to work with the government and CF to solve the problems his people face.
Although there have been a number of attacks recently, to include the suicide bomber who killed 28 citizens and wounded an additional 31, the mayor said, “There is little you could do to stop a suicide bomber,” and is still pleased with the security in the area.

The meeting is significant because it shows the local government and security forces working for their people to bring a more stable and secure environment.

Labels: 1st Cavalry Division, 3BCT, Balad Ruz, Diyala Province, Good News, Iraq, Kirkush Military Training Base, Operation Iraqi Freedom, photos

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PR# 030807-01
March 8, 2007


MUQDADIYA, Iraq – Soldiers from 3rd Brigade, 5th Iraqi Army Division supported by Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 505th Infantry Regiment, attached to 6-9 Armored Reconnaissance Squadron, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, discovered three caches and two improvised explosive devices while conducting routine patrols in Muqdadiya, Iraq, Thursday.

“The weapons and supplies found during this patrol have multiple uses, however, the primary reason for their use is to disrupt the future of the Iraqi people living in the Diyala province,” said Col. David W. Sutherland, 3-1 Cav. commander and senior U.S. Army officer in the Diyala province. “The people in the province are choosing reconstruction, stability, and development. The choices being dictated to them by the terrorists are fear and oppression. The Iraqi Security Forces are committing themselves to removing the terrorists’ tools.”

The caches consisted of improvised explosive device making materials including approximately 20 propane tanks and several mortar rounds.

A Coalition Forces’ explosive ordnance disposal unit conducted controlled detonations of the caches and the IEDs.

The unit also detained three individuals riding on a motorcycle with a mortar round prepared to explode. The detainees will be processed for further questioning.

Labels: 1-505th Infantry, 1st Cavalry Division, 3BCT, 5th Iraqi Army Division, 6-9 armored Reconnaissance Squadron, Iraqi Security Forces, Muqdadiyah, Operation Iraqi Freedom, US Army, weapons cache

JOINT SECURITY STATION
U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Ray Odierno, left, commander of Multi-National Corps - Iraq, meets with officials from the Iraqi National Police and Iraqi Civil Defense Directorate at a new joint security station in Baghdad, Iraq, Feb. 28, 2007. The station is one of 32 stood up as part of the Baghdad security plan. Defense Dept. photo by U.S. Army Sgt. Curt Cashour

Labels: Baghdad, Iraq, Iraqi Civil Defense Directorate, Iraqi National Police, Multi-National Corps - Iraq, Operation Iraqi Freedom, photos, US Army

Iraqi Army soldiers assist Coalition Forces, assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment, in the removal of hundreds of items found stashed underground during a search of an abandoned compound in Mosul, Iraq, Feb. 9. (U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Ryan Kennedy, 2nd Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment)


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SR# 030107-34
March 1, 2007

By Sgt. Paula Taylor
4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division Public Affairs

MOSUL, Iraq— Two Garryowen troops assigned to Ghost Battalion, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, each received a brigade coin March 1 for a raid conducted Feb. 9 that netted one of the largest weapons caches in the Ninewa Province.

The cache, which was located in a walled-off compound, was discovered by Pfc. Ryan Kennedy and Spc. Isaiah Johnson, both infantrymen assigned to A Company, 2nd Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment.

“Our battalion got [information] that there was a weapons cache in one of the lots [in the city],” said Kennedy, a Pequannock Township, N.J. native. “They called us up. We actually didn’t think we were rolling out until later that day.”

Kennedy’s platoon arrived in the suspected area and began taking small arms fire from a mosque across the street, he said. After they secured the area, they, with the help of Iraqi Army troops, were able to find and detain 10 suspects before moving into the actual compound where the cache was believed to be located.

“We pushed forward to continue searching another lot after another platoon moved up to secure the detainees,” he said. “There were four garages and a small building with two rooms in it; one was like a tool room and the other was like a living area. We cleared the building and the garages.”

After a brief search by 1st Squad, 1st Platoon Soldiers of the immediate area, their supervisor, Sgt. Shen O, split his team up for a more comprehensive search.
“Me and Specialist Johnson went back to the room that was like a living area and started busting all the floor tiles,” Kennedy said.

“We saw a sink and tried turning it on,” Johnson, a Chicago native, explained. “It didn’t turn on. There was a stove next to it. At the time, we didn’t think anything of it.”

The two continued busting floor tiles to see if the ground would give way.
“Once we busted all the tiles, we started getting frustrated that we weren’t finding anything,” Kennedy said. “We went and got Lieutenant Miller, our executive officer, and asked him if he had any ideas. I busted the sink that was in there and Lieutenant Miller kicked over the sink base.”

After the sink was knocked out of the way, the three began taking a closer look at the possibilities.

“Once we broke the sink, we saw there weren’t any pipes under it,” Johnson explained. “The XO noticed there was no grout between the tiles.”

“We could tell something was wrong with it because the tiles under it were real loose,” Kennedy added. “I hit it with a sledgehammer and it fell through. You could clearly see some [rocket-propelled grenades], some bags and different types of munitions. The opening was only about one foot by one foot. You had to squeeze in, and then there was a narrow crawl space that you could barely kneel in. That led to an open room that was about seven foot, by seven foot, by seven foot. We were overjoyed (to find the cache). All these months we weren’t finding anything. We were going on raids, searching vehicles. We were all so excited. When we saw it, we just started yelling out, ‘Hey, we found it, we found the cache!’”

After discovering the secret room beneath the sink, a member of the explosive ordnance disposal team, who was waiting nearby, was called into the compound to check the hole and cache room for dangers. Once he deemed it was safe to enter, other troops began arriving to assist in the removal of the items.

“There was everything you could name in there,” Johnson excitedly recalled. “Missiles you shoot helicopters with, grenades, mines, wiring, cell phones, tons of AK-47s and ammo. It took us several hours to get it all out. It made us feel happy finding that stuff, knowing they can’t use the weapons against us. It was sneaky how they had it set up, with the sink and the stove. They tried to make it look like it was a kitchen. We put the clues together and we figured it out. It made us really happy. We were proud to have found all this stuff and help get it all out,” Johnson bragged.

Some of the items included in the day’s find were 30 blasting caps, about 250,000 rounds of small arms ammunition, 25 grenade fuses, 37 high-explosive anti-tank weapons, 100 unfused grenades, one Iranian PG-7 grenade rocket, six Chinese 75mm APERS rocket fuses, 13 French 68mm SPAMV rockets, 72 rocket motors, 10 Iraqi 40mm rockets, 221 mortars, 300 various fuses, 40 pounds of propellant, 50 pounds of detonation cord, 13 PG-7 launchers, 17 AK-47 assault rifles, one Russian machine gun, two sniper rifles, one PKC machine gun, 40 million Iraqi Dinar, more than 400 fake identification cards, and various Motorola radios, including one Iraqi police radio believed to have belonged to an IP who had been previously kidnapped and subsequently killed.

“People can say I found it, but everyone was searching that day,” Kennedy modestly admitted. “We were all working really hard. Everyone was covered in sweat even though it wasn’t that hot. It was back-breaking labor. There were other finds, too. They found Iraqi Dinar and fake IDs in another area. Everyone worked hard that day, it wasn’t just me and Johnson.”

In recognition for their part in the discovery, Johnson and Kennedy were given a 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division Coin of Excellence, which was presented to them by their first sergeant.

“It was a large cache,” Said 1st Sgt. Eric Volk. “They knew it had to be right under their feet. These guys are very determined to have a positive impact in this area. You could see it in their faces afterward. They knew they finally made a difference. These troops had just recently lost their platoon sergeant (Sgt. 1st Class Russell Borea). This is one big thing they have done since then. They’ve got a lot of pride, they’re very strong guys and I think they feel like they’ve finally achieved that big step against the insurgency. I couldn’t ask for any better troops than what I’ve got.”



Garryowen troopers Pfc. Ryan Kennedy and Pfc. Raul Alderete, infantrymen, 2nd Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment, kneel above the hole leading to one of the largest weapons caches discovered in Mosul, Iraq, since the arrival of the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division in November 2006. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Shen O, 2nd Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment)


Executive officer 1st Lt. Michael Miller, A Company, 2nd Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment, crawls down into the small hole that leads to a weapons cache he and two of his troops, Pfc. Ryan Kennedy and Spc. Isaiah Johnson, discovered during a raid on an abandoned compound in Mosul, Iraq, Feb. 9. (U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Ryan Kennedy, 2nd Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment)


Garryowen troops Spc. Isaiah Johnson and Pfc. Ryan Kennedy, infantrymen, A Company, 2nd Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment, are presented with 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division Coins of Excellence March 1 by 1st Sgt. Eric Volk for their part in the discovery of a large weapons cache in Mosul, Iraq, Feb. 9. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Thomas Christian, 2nd Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment)

Labels: 1st Cavalry Division, 2-7 Cavalry, 4BCT, Good News, Iraq, Mosul, Operation Iraqi Freedom, photos, US Army

Release Date: 3/1/2007
Release Number: 07-01-03P

Description: YUSUFIYAH, Iraq — Multi-National Division – Baghdad troops found and seized a massive weapons cache along one of Baghdad’s main highways Feb. 28.

Soldiers from Company A, 2nd Battalion, 14th Infantry Regiment “Golden Dragons,” 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry) discovered the cache while conducting a combat patrol along Mulla Fayad Highway, west of Yusufiyah.

The cache consisted of two Sanger missiles with launch tubes, 200 meters of fuse, 1000 12.7mm Dishka rounds, two 122mm rockets, 18 60mm mortar rounds, 80 hand grenades, six rocket stabilizers, 10 120mm mortar tail fins, 100 60mm mortar fuses, five 106mm artillery rounds, one 57mm rocket, one rocket-propelled grenade, one 57mm anti-aircraft round, two RPG-9s, 60 120mm mortars, two unknown mortar rounds, one RPG launcher, one 60mm mortar illumination round, one Dishka heavy machinegun receiver, 20 canisters, 10 cylinders of homemade explosives, 2000 7.62mm rounds, 14 57mm rockets, 40 pounds of homemade explosives and 200 ZPU-1 anti-aircraft rounds.
(emphasis mine -- Pam)

“The (find) will put a dent in the terrorists’ ability to make improvised explosive devices,” said Maj. Brock Jones, the executive officer with the Golden Dragons and a native of Lakewood, Ohio. “The Soldiers did well today – their familiarity with the area of operations allowed them to locate the cache”

The battalion continues to search the area for more caches. The cache was destroyed during a controlled detonation conducted by an explosive ordnance team.

Labels: 10th Mountain Division, 2-14 Infantry, 2BCT, Golden Dragons, Good News, Iraq, Operation Iraqi Freedom, US Army, Yusufiyah

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Labels: 2-27th Infantry, 3BCT, Iraq, Kirkuk, Operation Iraqi Freedom, photos, US Army