Iraq Surge Ends

The July 15 return to Fort Stewart, Ga., of the 3rd Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division marks the beginning of the end of the 15-month troop surge, during which five Army brigades, two Marine battalions and one Marine expeditionary unit deployed on a mission to squelch insurgent activity in Iraq. More units were slated to return to nearby Hunter Army Airfield throughout the week. While historians will judge how successful the surge was in bringing peace to the war-torn country, soldiers in the returning unit say their presence helped do so. During an interview with local news outlets, outgoing 3rd ID commander Maj. Gen. Rick Lynch noted that his troops were attacked 25 times a day when they first arrived in Iraq in March. By the time the division struck colors in Iraq, attacks dwindled to two a day. Maj. Gen. Anthony Cucolo succeeded Lynch in a July 15 ceremony at Stewart. Future decisions regarding possible strength increases are on hold until at least mid-September, while Defense Department chiefs assess the impact of the surge.