Last U.S. Troops Make Quiet Exit Out Of Iraq

[Intense]

December 18, 2011

The "end of days," as soldiers were calling it, started at Contingency Operating Base Adder in southern Iraq. The base was the main staging ground for all U.S. troops exiting the country, and it was the last U.S. base to close.

There were a lot of lasts at COB Adder: the last signing ceremony, formally handing the last base over to the Iraqi government, the last briefing, the last patrol, the last hot meal.

The final convoy from the base left Iraq and crossed the border into Kuwait at dawn Sunday.
.............. Gen. Lloyd Austin, who commanded all U.S. troops in Iraq, says he was also worried about roadside attacks as the troops pulled out. He flew down to COB Adder for the last casing of the colors, when the army division's flag is put into its case and sent back home to the U.S.

This war is not like other wars that have ended with the signing of treaties or an exit from friendly territory, Austin says. One American base not far from COB Adder recently had 47 rocket attacks in a single day.

Pulling tens of thousands of troops out in this kind of environment is a logistical marvel, he says.

"You're reposturing while people are still trying to cause you harm," Austin says. "That means that every element that moves has to be protected. It is the most difficult undertaking in our lifetime, in our military career."

Last U.S. Troops Make Quiet Exit Out Of Iraq : NPR

 

[Mr. H.]

NC soldier, 23, was last US troop killed in Iraq - Yahoo! News

 

[Intense]

Allot of lessons. Allot of changes, as a result. Plenty of Sacrifice to go around. Getting past the spin, Only time will tell.

 

[Mr. H.]

Yup.

 

[Intense]

It's a time for new toy's now. Time for new games.

Leigh Day & Co, acting on behalf of Noor Khan, whose father was killed earlier this year in a drone strike on a jirga - or council of elders - in north-west Pakistan, have asked Mr Hague to answer questions on how far the UK assists the US in its drone strike programme.

The law firm said several reports have stated that British intelligence has provided locations for alleged militants targeted by the CIA's campaign.

Richard Stein, head of human rights at the firm, said: "This legal action simply looks to ask a number of questions of our Government regarding UK involvement in the drone strikes in Pakistan which, it is estimated, have killed thousands of people within a country we are not militarily engaged with and therefore, we believe, are against international law.

"We ask the Foreign Secretary whether any information is being passed by agents of the UK Government to US Government forces to assist in these attacks. Unless it is categorically denied that the UK continues to pass such information to the US Government forces, we require a clear policy statement of the arrangements which are in place and circumstances in which the UK considers it to be lawful to do so."

Clive Stafford Smith, director of legal action charity Reprieve, said: "CIA drone strikes are killing hundreds - if not thousands - of civilians and destabilising Pakistan. The British people have a right to know what their country's policy is regarding our involvement in this illegal and disastrous campaign."

A Foreign Office spokesman later said: "We will study this letter closely and respond to the issues raised."

The Press Association: Hague questioned on drone strikes

 

[C_Clayton_Jones]

The end of a sad and tragic chapter of our Nation’s history.

I’d like to hope we never repeat such a mistake again, but given the capricious arrogance and lust for power exhibited by Imperial Presidents – in GWB’s case his illegal and unwarranted invasion of Iraq to ensure his re-election – such hope would be frankly pointless.

Of course it would be wrong to place sole blame on GWB: Congress was equally complicit in its fear of voter retribution should any member be perceived as ‘soft on terror.’ The press failed comprehensively in its Constitutional mandate to keep the people informed, more concerned about ratings and profit than the truth and facts. And the ultimate blame rests with the American people, who cowered in ignorance and fear after 9/11, refusing to hold elected officials accountable.

 

[Intense]

The end of a sad and tragic chapter of our Nation’s history.

I’d like to hope we never repeat such a mistake again, but given the capricious arrogance and lust for power exhibited by Imperial Presidents – in GWB’s case his illegal and unwarranted invasion of Iraq to ensure his re-election – such hope would be frankly pointless.

Of course it would be wrong to place sole blame on GWB: Congress was equally complicit in its fear of voter retribution should any member be perceived as ‘soft on terror.’ The press failed comprehensively in its Constitutional mandate to keep the people informed, more concerned about ratings and profit than the truth and facts. And the ultimate blame rests with the American people, who cowered in ignorance and fear after 9/11, refusing to hold elected officials accountable.

There are allot of mistakes we are destined to repeat again. For the record, what was your position on our involvement in Libya? In unprecedented use of Drones for spying, and assassination? In the President's choice to target People for Assassination without Due Process, Checks and Balances, Oversight from Congress or the Courts?

 

[techieny]