A Spring Township man who returned from commanding a brigade in Iraq's most dangerous city believes that sudden withdrawal of American troops could erase much of the progress there.
"It would be a mistake to withdraw based on an arbitrary deadline instead of according to the conditions that exist," said Col. John L. Gronski. "We must continue our mission until things get more stable."
Gronski, 50, led the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 28th Infantry Division during its one-year deployment in Ramadi, which ended June 11.
In that year the "Iron Brigade," whose 5,600 members include 2,200 Pennsylvania National Guard soldiers, helped make the violent city more secure, he said. National guardsmen from other states, and Army soldiers and Marines made up the rest of the team.
Iraqi army and police now help control areas where insurgents and terrorists used to swarm, he said.
But much of that progress could be erased if Congress prematurely withdraws U.S. troops from Iraq, he warns.
Although both houses of Congress have rejected withdrawal timetables for the troops in Iraq in recent weeks, the debate over the duration of the war continues.
Gronski understands the dismay over the loss of American and Iraqi lives.
Eighty-one members of his 5,600-member brigade, including 15 Pennsylvania National Guard troops were killed during the deployment, and 140 were injured seriously enough to require treatment outside of Iraq, he said.
Still, the tragic toll doesn't diminish the importance of America's work in Iraq, he said.
If American troops weren't rooting out al-Qaida in Iraq, those terrorists would surely be attacking the nation's homeland, he said.
The troops also are making Iraq's government and economy more stable, which further helps keep America safe, he said.
Gronski said the brigade's biggest accomplishments include:
Taking control from insurgents in key areas in southern Ramadi as well as areas north and east of the city.
Training and working with Iraqi Army forces totaling 5,400 men.
Recruiting and training more than 700 Iraqi police to protect Ramadi.
Cordoning off the city's entry points to restrict the influx of insurgents and weapons.
Troop morale was high throughout the deployment, Gronski said.
As proof, Gronski pointed to the 75 percent re-enlistment rate among brigade members whose service time was set to end after the deployment.
"They believe in what they're doing," he said.
Most Iraqi citizens are thankful for the intervention of coalition forces, he said.
"They look forward to our withdrawal from their cities, but they like the security we bring," he said. |
