An F-16C Fighting Falcon sits tethered to the hot cargo pad at Joint Base Balad, Iraq, on the morning of Dec. 31, 2008. The aircraft is tethered to secure it in place before a full afterburner engine run-up. DoD photo by Tech. Sgt. Erik Gudmundson, U.S. Air Force. (Released)From McClatchy Newspapers:
NINEVAH PROVINCE, Iraq — The violence of his past deployments in Iraq still haunts Daniel Clemons, a 32-year-old National Guard staff sergeant who's back for his third tour.
This time, however, Clemons, like a lot of returning U.S. troops, is encountering something new: political and security improvements so dramatic that he can imagine the war ending and his memories of past bloodshed dimming.
"I think it's winding down. I think I'll be able to let go of this place," said Clemons, who barely survived a 12-hour firefight in Baghdad's Sadr City district nearly four years ago.
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My Comment: A third tour .... he and his men are the best sources for what is happening in Iraq.