“This is a critical mission,” under secretary of defense tells Guardmembers in Iraq

Story by United States Division–South

Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Michele Flournoy and Maj. Gen. Eddy M. Spurgin, commanding general of the 36th Infantry Division and commander, U.S. Division-South, answer questions from USD-South Soldiers during a luncheon in Basrah, Iraq, on Feb. 1, 2011. Flournoy visited with the troops as part of a tour of Southern Iraq focused on the drawdown of equipment and personnel prior to the transfer from a military-oriented mission to a diplomatic one. The agreement between the U.S. and the Government of Iraq is for the Iraqi Security Forces to take full control of all operations from U.S. military forces by Dec. 31, 2011. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. David A. Bryant)
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BASRAH, Iraq (2/7/11) – Soldiers serving in Iraq are doing so during a critical military to diplomatic transition, Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Michele Flournoy told troops, including National Guardmembers, here Feb. 1.

“You all are at a critical juncture here in Iraq,” Flournoy said. “What you do over the next six months will determine if it is a smooth hand-off or a fumble to the Department of State.”

Flournoy sat down for an informal lunch with troops from U.S. Division-South to answer questions and give Soldiers a view of the impact they have on the security of the nation.

“I really appreciate that you’re here; appreciate your sacrifice and the sacrifices of your families,” Flournoy told the troops. “This is a critical mission, and what you do is absolutely vital to the security of our nation.”

Flournoy’s visit was part of a larger tour of Southern Iraq focused on the drawdown of equipment and personnel prior to the transfer from a military-oriented mission to a diplomatic one.

The under secretary answered questions from a mixture of active duty, National Guard and Reserve Soldiers representing units stationed here at Contingency Operating Base Basra under the command of Maj. Gen. Eddy M. Spurgin, 36th Infantry Division commanding general, USD-South.

“It was pretty neat to see how humble she is,” said Army Spc. Vanessa L. Lopez, a human resources specialist with the 36th ID.

“She didn’t try to use big words or speak over our heads; she tried to make sure we understood the answers to our questions and didn’t try to add any fluff if she didn’t know the answer.”

Lopez said it was great to hear the under secretary ask the Soldiers directly how the deployment affected them and their families back home.

The 22-year-old added that Flournoy helped give her a better overall picture of how she and her fellow Soldiers affect the military mission during Operation New Dawn.

“It was nice having a member of our government come down and talk with us,” said Army Sgt. Zachary B. Mueller, communications platoon sergeant with 3rd Advise and Assist Brigade, 4th ID. “I was appreciative of her talking to the lower-enlisted ranks, because it gives us the feeling that what we say matters.”

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