American Legion National Commander David K. Rehbein spent four days last week in Iraq, seeing firsthand the state of transition on the ground as U.S. military forces prepare for a scheduled June 30 withdrawal from major cities. Among the commander’s traveling companions were six wounded warriors. They, along with Commander Rehbein, were shown U.S. and Italian training efforts with the Iraqi Army and National Police, as well as demonstrations of unmanned aerial vehicle capabilities. The commander met with military personnel at every level, ranging from Gen. Ray Odierno, commander in charge of multi-national forces in Iraq, to enlisted soldiers serving in the 1st Cavalry Division of the U.S. Army.Following are his observations from Baghdad: 

The six wounded warriors traveling with my group are nearing the end of their rehabilitation periods. Sponsored by the Troops First Foundation, they are here to see the level of progress made in the war zone since they were evacuated, essentially to see that their sacrifices have made a difference. To make that clear, each of them was delivered to the exact same operating location where each was hit.

Two of those locations were Forward Operating Bases Liberty and Victory, which are now transforming into U.S.-Iraqi Joint Security Stations, as the Iraqis assume more responsibility for the security of their country. At all levels, we were told how the Iraqi Army and National Police have significantly upgraded their capabilities and professionalism. The wounded warriors traveling with me were truly amazed at the development they saw from Iraqi intelligence personnel today working closely with Americans in the 3rd Brigade Combat Team Tactical Operations Center. “Two years ago, we wouldn't even let them see our maps,” one of the recovering soldiers said.

Enlisted personnel showed our group a variety of high-tech military vehicles and weapons. During our visit with the 1st Cavalry, each company of the battalion involved at the site gave an intelligence briefing of his particular area of operation, including specific threats and recent IED (improvised explosive device) and EFP (explosively formed penetrator) locations. They explained that almost all IED and EPF disposals are now based on tips from the local Iraqi population and generally include names of those involved in the placement of the devices, another sign that the culture has shifted significantly.

The briefers also told of independent operations conducted by the Iraqi Army and National Police to apprehend suspects and recover devices. U.S. personnel, in many cases, only learn about these operations after the fact, proving that the Iraqis having sufficient confidence in their abilities to undertake such operations without direct American support.

The situation in Iraq is promising. The June 30 deadline to remove U.S. forces from the cities will be met with most objectives having already been achieved. Potential remains for insurgent and rejectionist activities as they test the Iraqi Army and National Police an attempt to regain some of their former level of activity.

The economy continues to improve. It’s visibly apparent that there is an increased willingness among religious, ethnic and tribal groups to work together and achieve normalcy and peace. During this transition as the Iraqis assume responsibility in the cities, however, there may be a temporary increase in violence. But it will only be temporary as the Iraqi Army and National Police continue to improve. There are indeed many challenges to be met, but with the Iraqi people’s continuing and growing desire to take charge of their own destiny, those challenges can and will be met.