Washington, Jan 8 -

While the front pages focus on economic challenges at home, our military’s engagements abroad are no less dangerous for our troops or important to our nation. As the 111th Congress prepares to work with the new president to address the challenges in Iraq and Afghanistan, I wanted to take a first-hand look at the progress being made in the Middle East and the challenges that our troops continue to face.

I came away from my trip convinced that we must take advantage of change of leadership in the White House to spearhead a new approach in Iraq and Afghanistan. President Obama and his incoming Administration must communicate clearly and resolutely that the Iraqi government assume full control of its domestic affairs to expedite the drawdown of American forces from the country. The babying of the Iraqi government over the past six years cannot continue. We must take the long overdue step to surge our diplomatic and economic efforts in Afghanistan and Iraq to relieve the disproportionate burden on our troops and to address fully the sources of unrest that perpetuate instability in the region.

Equally importantly, this trip reaffirmed my admiration and respect for the men and women serving our nation on the frontlines. Our servicemen deserve nothing less than a new strategy for Iraq and Afghanistan that honors their professionalism, dedication, and bravery and that delivers true, long-term national security for the American people.

Rep. Courtney receives a briefing on upgrades to mine resistant vehicles while
touring an MRAP repair facility in Iraq.

The improved vehicles are part of the reason why casualty rates have gone down in Iraq despite the persistent use of IEDs, or improvised explosive devices. As a member of the House Seapower and Expeditionary Forces Subcommittee, which has oversight on the development and acquisition of MRAPs, I worked with my colleagues to accelerate procurement of these critical vehicles to ensure that our soldiers and marines had the equipment they needed to stay safe and come home. It was gratifying to see the subcommittee’s work make a difference in the field.

Continuing Challenges of Transitions in Iraq

After that tour we flew by helicopter to the Green Zone for a briefing by the new Commander of U.S. forces in Iraq, General Raymond Odierno, who succeeded General David Patreus. General Odierno was joined by Ambassador Ryan Crocker’s Deputy Ford. The briefing detailed the continued reduction of violence and the recent signing of the new Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) by the Iraqi Parliament. This agreement calls for withdrawal of American Forces from urban areas in the summer of 2009 and complete withdrawal of U.S. forces by 2011.

Both General Odierno and Ambassador Ford were very cautious about the readiness of the Iraq national government to assume governance and control. In particular, Ambassador Ford expressed his disappointment – which I strongly share – about many of the unresolved political issues facing the Iraqi government. Some of the issues prohibiting true reconciliation include oil revenue sharing, provincial control and religious minority protection have not moved an inch despite the sacrifice and expense the U.S. military has made over the last eighteen months.

From my perspective, it remains clear that setting hard deadlines for the Iraq factions to work out these issues is the only way to move toward a more stable political environment. Indeed, the passage of the SOFA agreement happened precisely because the Iraq parliament knew that the pre-existing SOFA under the United Nations mandate was expiring on December 31, 2008. For the incoming administration, it is imperative that a diplomatic and political "surge" be pursued with much greater urgency than we have seen.

Sitting Down with Our Troops

Our next stop was the historic Salman Pak market in southern Baghdad where we toured the neighborhood in an MRAP. The 2nd Brigade 1st Armored Division Combat Team escorted us and then hosted us for dinner. There, I had the chance to meet Daniel Lemik, an Army soldier who originally hails from Lebanon, Connecticut.

Rep. Courtney meets Sgt. Daniel Lemik of Lebanon, CT to discuss his second tour in Iraq.

After spending the night in the Green Zone, the delegation received a briefing on anti-IED training programs – still the number one danger to our troops – and at lunch time headed over to the 890th Engineering Battalion of the Mississippi National Guard. They are a large contingent that does mine clearing in Baghdad, many of whom hailed from Congressman Gene Taylor’s district. Gene brought a special holiday surprise: 2000 pounds of shrimp gumbo from the gulf coast, frozen in the US and loaded on a C-130 transport plane where it was quickly whisked over to the loving hands of cooks from Mississippi that prepared it for lunch.

Reps. Courtney and Conaway (TX) receive a briefing from the 2nd Brigade, 1st Armored Division
in the Salman Pak area of Baghdad.

Of course, I wanted the great state of Connecticut to chip in for the well-deserved break, and brought 500 UConn Huskies Chocolate bars that were generously donated by Munson’s Chocolates in Bolton, Connecticut. As the following picture shows, the contribution was very much appreciated by the soldiers and they even admitted that Connecticut is the state to beat in College basketball!

Rep. Courtney distributes UConn Husky chocolate bars generously
donated by Munson's Chocolates of Bolton, CT

At Sea in Bahrain with Connecticut Sailors

Our next stop on our trip was to the port city of Bahrain to visit U.S. Navy ships that are docked at that critical base. We visited a minesweeper, USS Argent, the Iwo Jima, a multi-purpose amphibious assault ship, and USS San Antonio, an LPD populated by sailors and marines. At every ship, Connecticut sailors and marines stopped by to say 'hello' and catch up on life back home.

In Bahrain, I met a medic from Coventry, a Marine from Danbury, and Navy sailors from East Hampton and Chester who all wanted to stop by and hear the latest on the new presidential administration taking office on January 20th and ask questions - both personal and policy oriented. As a member of the House Education and Labor Committee, I was particularly interested and pleased to field a lot of questions about the new GI Bill that I cosponsored last session that restored the federal education benefit for returning military personnel. Obviously, this positive change is of great interest to our military and it was gratifying to get such positive feedback on it.

Revisiting Afghanistan: the front line of the battle against global terrorism

Leaving Bahrain the next day, our group headed to Kabul, Afghanistan. This country’s problems have again re-emerged in a deadly and difficult manner. Flying in on our C-130, I was struck by the unbelievable beauty and poverty that characterizes this ancient country. When we left the plane and felt freezing temperatures, it was clear we were out of the deserts of Iraq. We were able to move about the city in SUVs and not helicopters, which was some improvement over Iraq. Our first stop was the Embassy where we were briefed on the political and military status of the war, which is a much different challenge than Iraq. Afghanistan has about the same number of people, but spread out more and living in such impoverished conditions.

The country’s "border" with Pakistan is a security nightmare and despite the best efforts of NATO troops and US troops, large parts of the country are beyond the control of the country’s central government in Kabul. Some areas, particularly in the south are under Taliban control, while other areas are governed by ancient tribes that are neither Taliban nor national government allied.

Rep. Courtney receives a briefing from military officials about the security concerns along the Afghanistan/Pakistan border.

Stabilizing Afghanistan will require a developmental approach that gives the country a future and an alternative different from the Taliban’s harsh rule. The good news is that unlike Iraq, we have support from the international community, including NATO countries, and the Afghanistan government wants the help.

Our next visit was to a promising school called Turquoise Mountain that trains young Afghan children and adults in the country’s ancient arts of pottery, woodwork and calligraphy. Started by a British expatriate, Rory Stewart, Turquoise Mountain aims to employ Afghanis with work that will make them self-sufficient. Its website, http://www.turquoisemountain.org, has much more information on its work.

Following the school visit, we went to Camp Eggers for dinner with our troops where I met a JAG officer from Vernon who was deeply involved in assisting the effort to extend institutions of governance in Kabul and elsewhere.

The following day our C-130 flew us down to Helmand Province. I saw firsthand the front line in our efforts against the Taliban. The 1,200 strong Marine contingent had a multiple pronged strategy - securing population centers and engaging tribal leaders to turn them against the Taliban. The versatility this mission requires of our lieutenants and non-commissioned officers (NCOs) is really impressive. Just like Iraq though, I came away from our trip to Afghanistan convinced that we need to step up our political and developmental efforts - with international assistance and put less of the burden on our military.

The morning of our trip down to Helmand we received a surprise visit from Admiral Michael Mullen, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, who had coffee with us. He emphasized that our military has gotten too involved in the mission of nation-building and that we need a more exhaustive effort by our State Department and USAID to accomplish the goals of stabilizing the region.

Stopping in Germany to visit with our recovering servicemen

After saying good-bye and wishing season's greetings to the Marines, we began our journey home. One stop along the way home was Landstuhl Regional Medical Center. This facility is the military hospital that treats our wounded from Iraq and Afghanistan and is a marvel of organization and care. Recently an Army soldier from East Lyme, Specialist Alex Lazano, was brought there after being wounded by a sniper’s bullet in Baghdad. He was in serious shape when he arrived at the hospital, and stayed there with his mother for surgery and stabilization. When it was safe he was flown home to Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, DC, the facility that is still nursing him back to health. I visited Alex and his mother Maria before my trip to Iraq. She was grateful for the care her son received and while touring the ICU at Landstuhl, I asked the nurses if they remembered Alex.

All of them brightened up at the mention of his name and Colonel Lien, the head surgeon escorting our group, told me that he was the doctor who treated Alex. What was so impressive to me was that Colonel Lien still monitors Alex’s progress electronically from Germany, since our military hospitals now are almost completely paperless. It also is impressive because Colonel Lien has his hands full with many new patients, yet he takes the time to check up on a patient who came through weeks earlier. You could not ask for a more competent and dedicated caregiver.

Rep. Courtney meets with Colonel Lien who shares his experience
treating Specialist Lazano of East Lyme.

When our plane touched back down in DC, the holiday decorations were up and the stress of the war zone seemed far away. Yet, like all Americans I am constantly grateful for the strength and competence of our all volunteer military that go where we as a nation ask them to go. It makes me even more determined to ensure that they get the kind of leadership in Washington that matches their sacrifice and dedication.

With a new year come serious challenges for Congress and our nation. As we move ahead let us all keep the men and women who wear the uniform of our country uppermost in our resolutions and prayers.