Last US combat brigade leaves Iraq

[1carbine]

The "mission" has changed from one based on combat to one based on support of indigenous forces. There are still many combat arms troops there and more are on the way. The 3rd ACR (from Ft. Hood IIRC) is prepping to deploy now. They are certainly a "combat" unit. Don't let semantics lead you to a different conclusion.

Well said. 

[eagl]

My squadron will still be deploying a few people per year to Iraq, as flight instructors for the new Iraqi Air Force.  They're flying T-6s and are planning on having a fighter lead-in program right there in Iraq so they don't have to rely on training in other countries.  We have some guys there now, and if I interpreted a rather vague email correctly yesterday, they are getting shot at now that they are one of the few remaining US units in Iraq.

[wojo71]

  There still are seven Stryker  brigades in Iraq ,just a new name......

http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/news/2010/08/dn-brigades-stay-under-different-name-081910/
 

[eagl]

the last combat brigade left Iraq(4SBCT-2ID) the remaining 50,000 troops are in a support role. Only SF units will continue to do combat ops

"support" still means "carry guns and repel attacks that keep coming".

For the guys in my squadron currently deployed in Iraq, it means "try to train Iraqi student pilots to fly the T-6 without letting either the students or insurgents kill you".  I think they are logging combat time every sortie...

[DREDIOCK]

I think right about now is the best time to get INto this thread.

This one cant end well at all

[eagl]

I think right about now is the best time to get INto this thread.

This one cant end well at all

Really?  Why not?  It is an important current-events topic and nobody is flinging poo, so...?

[TOMCAT21]

 wojo, there are only  seven stryker brigades currently in the army(6 active duty and 1 national guard) . 4th SBCT2ID just left Iraq, (as my brigade just cameback from the 'Stan.) I am prolly going overboard but there are 3 Stryker Brigade Combat Teams(SBCT) at JBLM, 1 in Hawaii, 1 in Alaska  and 1 in Germany and the Pennsylvania National Guard(28th ID/56th SBCT). oh yeah, I was just saying that Combat troops are out leaving support troops who still carry m4's and may well still be engaged i was not inferring anything else.

[Masherbrum]

Really?  Why not?  It is an important current-events topic and nobody is flinging poo, so...?

Agree.   Hey eagl, stay safe and Thanks for your service for all of these years.   

[wojo71]

MY bad ,only one is a stryker brigade.