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Godspeed, 172nd

Aug-17-2005 » Filed Under: 172nd SBCT

Link to Full Article (editorial)
The News-Miner

Down in Fort Lewis, in Washington state, families and loved ones are preparing for a reunion that many associated with Fort Wainwright are hoping to enjoy a year or so from now. The first soldiers from the 1st Brigade, 25th Infantry Division could be arriving at Fort Lewis from Iraq any day now, with the bulk of their personnel following after a few more weeks in the combat zone.

They'll be handing off their duty to the 3,800 personnel of the 172nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, which is completing its deployment from Fort Wainwright this week.

Alaskans, not just residents of Fairbanks, wish them well and look forward to their safe return.

The 172nd will be entering Iraq at a volatile yet important time for that country. The attacks against U.S. and Iraqi government forces by insurgents have been particularly intense in recent weeks as the new government moves slowly toward creation of a constitution. U.S. officials, including Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, have warned that even more violence can be expected when the new Iraqi constitution, once finalized, is put to a public vote later this year.

The civilized world has no choice at this point but to continue to press for stability in Iraq and, hopefully, elsewhere in the region. Those who suggest an arbitrary deadline for the withdrawal of U.S. forces, as politically attractive as it sounds, would have others believe that doing so will achieve stability. There is little, however, to indicate that a rapid pullout of U.S. troops will lead to that outcome; even many Iraqi leaders fear an early U.S. withdrawal. [...]


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