Story filed 6-30-05

By Edward Lee Pitts
Military Affairs

Soldiers with the 278th Regimental Combat Team now serving their sixth month in Iraq echoed the comments stressed by President Bush in his speech Tuesday night that Americans must remain in Iraq until the job is done.

"President Bush is absolutely right in staying the course here," said Lt. Gregg Murphy, of Chattanooga, in an e-mail. "Who is going to preserve human rights and protect the huge investment for peace that we have already made if not the U.S. military?"

One year after the transition of authority from the U.S.-led coalition to Iraqis, some members of the nearly 4,000-member Tennessee National Guard contingent deployed near the Iran border say improvements are being made in the war-torn country.

"When I first saw the Iraqi army, they were unable to do the most basic missions, such as establishing a checkpoint," said Lt. Col. Jeff Holmes, 3rd Squadron commander, in an e-mail. "Since that time, they now operate their own checkpoints, and we've had them actually carry out some platoon and company level missions with our forces serving as advisors."

As of now, the regiment is responsible for more than 10,000 Iraqi security forces, according to regimental commander Col. Dennis Adams.

The 278th's final months in Iraq will be focused on developing Iraqi military officers and equipping the Iraqi units, Col. Adams said.

Capt. Jim Reed, of Cookeville, Tenn., said the Iraqi soldiers now have the confidence to beat the insurgency and take care of themselves.

"They are very eager to catch the insurgents, but some planning and preparation has to take place, and that is where we are assisting," Capt. Reed said in an e-mail.

Lt. Murphy said he expects a total handover to the Iraqis before the regiment leaves and that they are capable fighters.

"I feel certain that if they had to fight a buzz saw, they would do so bravely," said Lt. Murphy, who helps train 160 Iraq soldiers six days a week.

But, he said, the Iraqis have other challenges that will require several years to overcome.

"Culturally, economically and educationally, they have a long way to go before they perform to U.S. standards," he said. "Only in large cities do you see living conditions that would even come close to our poorest communities in the states."

Capt. Reed said area Iraqi citizens and local government officials also are becoming more pro-active.

"We have seen tribal leaders come together ... to try and resolve local land issues," he said.

Capt. Reed's Iron Troop, located around the border city of Khanaqin, has established a monthly meeting for tribal leaders to discuss issues hampering development. A local oil refinery has restarted production, and area women have formed a group to become more active in local government and business, according to Capt. Reed.

Lt. Col. Holmes, a Nashville architect who lives in Murfreesboro, Tenn., said U.S. forces still need to work with the Iraqi police forces. He said the Iraqi police often get overshadowed by the Iraqi army.

"Under the former regime, the military controlled everything and was the government's strong arm," he said. "We are educating them that the military is a servant of the civilian authority, and the police are the force responsible for enforcing laws and keeping the peace."

Like President Bush's efforts Tuesday night to rally America's resolve for the war in Iraq, Lt. Col. Holmes said he tells Iraqis every day that they will be tested.

"They have to have a strong will to succeed," he said of the Iraqis. "They've come too far, and too many people have lost their lives for anyone to stop short of the objective."

E-mail Lee Pitts at lpitts@timesfreepress.com

On the Web: Photos by U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Russell Lee Klika of the 278th Regimental Combat Team are available on the Times Free Press Web site. Visit http://www.timesfreepress.com/kp.

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