The End of “Combat?”
— Memo from Tom Kent, AP’s standards editor, Thursday, September 2, 2010
AP has it right.
Combat is not over in Iraq. The war is not won, nor is combat over.
As the AP accurately observes:
“50,000 American troops remain in country. Our own reporting on the ground confirms that some of these troops, especially some 4,500 special operations forces, continue to be directly engaged in military operations. These troops are accompanying Iraqi soldiers into battle with militant groups and may well fire and be fired on.”
What has happened in the Obama Administration has declared an official end to U.S.-led combat missions. We are pushing the Iraqis to the front, and backing them up with combat forces. I can well imagine U.S. troops engaging in some gallows humor, as the bullets fly and IEDs explode. “Good thing we’re not in combat anymore!”
Right. The shift from U.S.-LED combat operations to U.S.-BACKED combat operations is an important evolution for more than symbolic reasons, but It’s not the end of the war. Maybe the beginning of the end, or the beginning of the beginning of the end. So the AP and other news organizations are right to call what’s going on by its proper name: combat.
In contrast back in 2007 CNN, and some other new organizations briefly refrained from calling the reinforcements sent to Iraq a “surge,” thinking somehow that was putting a positive spin on the escalation of the war. “Surge” sounded temporary like a “storm surge,” and many of my editors were skeptical that the strategy would increase troop levels only in the short term.
I, on the other hand, believed that “surge” was a perfectly good word, and described pretty much what the military had in mind. In fact, anyone who was paying attention knew the Pentagon didn’t have enough troops for a permanent, or indeterminate increase in forces. And eventually CNN got over its uneasiness, and used the term “surge” as everyone else did.
Words do matter, and journalists should not adopt official language that obfuscates the facts. We talk about the war in Iraq, not Operation Iraqi Freedom. And when advise and assist puts U.S. troops in combat, we should not hesitate to call it that. We are not yet the the peacekeeping phase in Iraq.
Tags: AP, Combat, Peace, War
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Comments (15)
+1
If only "The Surge" had included the subtitle "And US-currency BRIBES
to Sunnis to STOP shooting and WAIT to be incorporated into the 'NEW'
multi-ethnic Iraq!" So of course the $300/month bribes worked, the Sunni
AKs went silent (...we called them "Awakening Councils.") But with
success and the ensuing "Peace," the Shi'a majority gave jobs to only 5%
of the Sunni. And since the last election, the Shi'a have learned the
value of assassinating the few Sunni who might prove to be politically
effective... assuming ANY kind of power-sharing Parliament ever appears.
But there is only delay, no jobs for Sunnis... and so they respond as
they did in 2006-- Horrific bombings of any Shi'a gathering AND the
police/military bases that refuse Sunni participation. The undoing of
the "Surge (and Bribes)" will return with the same old Civil War*. And
may God protect our 50,000 soldiers, firing all the way as they flee The
Grande and Deadly Debacle.
-Kyle York
Department of Failed States
* Don't even ASK about the Kurds
-Kyle York
Department of Failed States
* Don't even ASK about the Kurds
+1
Ang · 144 weeks ago
People have to acknowledge the fact that troops are still being sent
over to Pakistan and Afghanistan! It is not over until every soldier is
home.
0
Jeff · 144 weeks ago
I am a 19D combat scout with the 2-116th Cavalry Brigade. I am
deploying to Iraq in November of this year. We may not have a combat
mission, but we will be doing patrols, convoy security, and assisting
the Iraqi Police and Army when they need us. So how are combat troops
out of Iraq? Someone please explain?
+1
Steve · 144 weeks ago
wow opsec! You cannot volunteer information what your unit is doing!
I'm a 19D as well and this not the place to ask these questions so open
it risks a units safety. Ask someone in the unit for more info on your
mission not here. Do you see where I'm coming from?
+1
Justin · 144 weeks ago
I agree with you Steve. Jeff needs to first ask his NCO's what OPSEC is
and then information about the mission. Im a 19D as well and in
somewhere in Iraq. But, may I be struck down with lightning first before
I give my unit and deployment date on the internet. Scouts out!
0
Christine · 144 weeks ago
I'm really curious as to what is going to happen in Iraq. Will we be
returning? What is really going on with Parkistan, and Afghanistan...
and is it too far fetched to think trouble may stir up between us and
Iran? Or is it just the media's idea of throwing us an Iran "bone" every
now and then... if you will. It seems we are always at war with
someone. If not for reasons regarding real threats, then certainly to
stimulate the economy etc.
+1
Martin · 144 weeks ago
This is kind of like calling a janitor a sanitation engineer; you take a
heavy brigade combat team, with its complete TO&E and say "You are
now an Advise and Assist Brigade!" Poof! All of a sudden, it's instantly
transformed into a political campaign promise ........ ummmmm I mean,
non-combat unit. You still have all the weapons and ammo. You still
perform exactly the same missions you performed the day before the
magical transformation. You still have people with AK's, RPG and IED
trying to send you home in a flag draped metal box. The image of keeping
a promise is more important to these folks than the truth.
0
Blackcoat · 144 weeks ago
Yes the war is over in Iraq. Yes some of the troops are leaving. The
fact of the matter is plain and very simple. The war is over in Iraq for
those troops that are no longer there. For those that are not leaving
the war is alive and they will be more in jeopardy because the war is
over but in reality one can be killed just as dead. And if you do not
believe it just ask any politician. The truth of the matter is that
there is an over abundance of politicians with no balls. Did someone
forget to tell the bad guys in Iraq? What a crock of B.U.L.L. Semper
Fidelis. Blackcoat.
0
Mark · 143 weeks ago
The End of "COMBAT"? I agree words have meaning. When this was sweeping
across the media outlets I asked myself so what happens now when the
next Soldier looses their life. How will that get portrayed since combat
is over. AABs - HBCT/IBCT/SBCT with added capabilities to advise and
assist; what about partnering, yes still partnering also. What is
partnering, does that mean no more combined patrols, etc... I don't
thing so.
I agree saying all combat Soldiers are out of Iraq was misleading to the public. I do understand why this this was done as a follow through to the 1 Sep deadline of ending combat operations and getting down to 50K. I believe though a better explanation could've been given on what type of forces are still there, their mission, and the potential threats that they will still have to deal with. Even the potential of more insurgency action as the 50K begins to draw down for the end of 2011 deadline. Having just returned in May I understand the task ahead of the remaining Soldiers is great. I know they will make it happen as Soldiers always do and I will pray for their safe return.
I agree saying all combat Soldiers are out of Iraq was misleading to the public. I do understand why this this was done as a follow through to the 1 Sep deadline of ending combat operations and getting down to 50K. I believe though a better explanation could've been given on what type of forces are still there, their mission, and the potential threats that they will still have to deal with. Even the potential of more insurgency action as the 50K begins to draw down for the end of 2011 deadline. Having just returned in May I understand the task ahead of the remaining Soldiers is great. I know they will make it happen as Soldiers always do and I will pray for their safe return.
+1
Jeff Sleep · 143 weeks ago
I guess the simple answer is that now that combat is over there will be
no more Purple Hearts awarded for wounds. No more Combat Action Ribbons
or Combat Action Badges awarded. Veterans benefits will be down-graded
to peace time service. Congress will decrease the VA budget now that
there is no combat surge in medical need. Banks can return to
foreclosing on deployed military members home with no sense of shame.
Half of America can dust off their old Dogs and Military Keep Off The
Grass signs. PTSD & TBI victems will become just those crazy guys
that should be locked up. And military budgets can be reduced to fund
corporate bonuses.
Cover your rear America, Peace is here and the politicians are free to help us now. Jeff Sleep, Spokane, WA.
Cover your rear America, Peace is here and the politicians are free to help us now. Jeff Sleep, Spokane, WA.
0
galloglas · 143 weeks ago
I recall when Vietnam was going on a troop withdrawal was when all
Troops that were going to be rotated out went out early (short, double
digit midgets and such) and all troops with their tour just starting
were shifted to the units that were staying.
The flag and HQ was rotated back CONUS and the troops were reassigned to units that were staying.
You can move the flag of say the 1st MARDIV but leave the 1MARDIV Marines with 3 MARDIV you've moved a whole division out while leaving the bulk of the combat line companies TDY with the MARDIV that is staying.
The flag and HQ was rotated back CONUS and the troops were reassigned to units that were staying.
You can move the flag of say the 1st MARDIV but leave the 1MARDIV Marines with 3 MARDIV you've moved a whole division out while leaving the bulk of the combat line companies TDY with the MARDIV that is staying.
0
Jeff Sleep · 143 weeks ago
Shortly after Vietnam we had a slew of names for that: Rotating
Battalion, Attached, or my favorite and probably the most honest and
vague at the time 3rd MarDiv (Rein) or Reinforced. Then there was the
WestPac, rapid deployment force, air contigent battalion, etc. The war
was over and most of these were simply unit accounting procedures that
were necessary for command and logestics but, mostly it was a shell game
to keep 3 divisions active with at least one close to full strength in
Asia. Semper Fi to all the former reinforcing rotating attachments that
did some time as a ACB with a BLT in the MAU on a WestPac from an old
Wpns 2/1 Gunner. Jeff Sleep
He didn't say that combat is over. In fact he said the opposite, that
the remaining troops would be supporting Iraqi army counter-terrorism
operations. What he DID say is the combat mission is over. There are no
more units whose primary mission consists of launching assaults on
enemy-held areas. Obama has reduced the US force in Iraq from 150,000 to
50,000 and they will be gone within a year. They will be involved in
combat without a doubt, but they are no longer in the cities, and they
have a support and training role. At least he didn't say that we could
pay for all of this from Iraqi oil revenues, and he didn't start this
mess. I find the criticism of his speech to be....let's just say
precious. And hypocritical.
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