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Soldiers

Gen. James F. Amos Visits Marines in Iraq, Reflects on Operation Iraqi Freedom

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

As the operation in Iraq drew to a close, Gen. James F. Amos, the Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps, made a final visit to Marines in Iraq, expressing gratitude and reflecting on the impact of the operation on him and the country. The visit took place on December 21-22, 2009, at Al Asad Air Base. Gen. Amos acknowledged the sacrifices made by the Marines and other personnel, saying, "I've been looking forward to coming back to Al Asad right here at the very end and getting a sense for where we are with getting ready to close the door." He emphasized the importance of sharing the story of Operation Iraqi Freedom with the American people, encouraging Marines to tell their story upon their return to the States.

Key Takeaways:

  • Gen. James F. Amos visited Marines in Iraq for the last time on December 21-22, 2009, to express gratitude and reflect on Operation Iraqi Freedom.
  • He expressed pride in the Marines' accomplishments, saying, "Every chance I get to stand up in front of the American people, which is a fair amount, every chance I get to stand in front of Congress, I tell them they ought to be damn proud of what's happening here in Iraq."
  • Gen. Amos reflected on the impact of each portion of Operation Iraqi Freedom on him, including the initial invasion in 2003, the second deployment in 2004, and the homecoming in 2006.
  • He praised the Marines for their bravery and sacrifice, saying, "I hope I can look these widows in the eye, and even though it breaks my heart that they lost their sole mate, I can tell them that is was worth it...and I can...we succeeded. We won."
  • Gen. Amos also spoke about the rich history of the Marine Corps and the generations of Marines who have gone before, saying, "Marines ten years from now are going to be thinking about what has happened here in Iraq, and they're going to stand on your shoulders."
  • He asked the Marines to share their story with the American people once they returned to the States, saying, "Go home and be proud. Stand up in front of your families, stand up in front of your high school class mates, stand up in front of your college buddies, and speak in front of whatever group you're going to encounter when you go home...tell them what it was like."

Statistics:

  • Operation Iraqi Freedom lasted from 2003 to 2011.
  • Over 4,500 U.S. servicemembers were killed in action during Operation Iraqi Freedom.
  • The operation involved over 200,000 U.S. troops at its peak.
  • The U.S. Marine Corps played a significant role in Operation Iraqi Freedom, with numerous deployments and operations in the country.

Sources:

  • "Gen. James F. Amos Visits Marines in Iraq" by Cpl. Meg Murray, Multi National Force - West.

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