Washington, DC  -  American troops are continuing to get the job done in Iraq with pride and dedication despite facing challenging conditions on the ground and an enemy that will stop at nothing to kill innocent civilians, Congressman Mike Rogers said today.

Rogers made the comments after returning this weekend from his second visit to Iraq. The three-member bi-partisan delegation of Armed Services Committee members, which was led by Rogers, toured the Iraq-Syria border region as well as met with several high-ranking commanders on the status of military operations in that country.

 

Rogers said he was most impressed with the pride of our troops. “Given the challenges they face every day I was concerned about their morale,” Rogers said. “But much to my relief, the soldiers I talked with seem to be getting along just fine.

“They’re proud of the job they’re doing and they’re mostly getting what they need to be successful on the battlefield,” he said. “Most of all, our troops from Alabama said they appreciate the care packages from folks back home. It means so much knowing we all appreciate the sacrifices they’re making.”

Rogers said he wanted to find out what else the troops need. “We have a much more sophisticated operation now. We’re getting armored vehicles in the field. Technology is playing a huge role in helping defeat terrorist forces,” he said.

Rogers said foreign fighters from neighboring countries comprise the majority of the enemy fighters, and Iraqi security forces are gaining in strength day by day. “Our military is doing everything it can to equip Iraq’s forces so our troops can come home as soon as possible, but we cannot leave until the job is done.”

Most of all, he said, it is vital the people of Iraq pass and adopt a new constitution and move forward with elections this Fall to elect a new National Assembly.