McCaul Visits Texas Troops in Iraq

McCaul Visits Texas Troops in Iraq
Delegation also Visits Wounded Soldiers in Germany

(Washington D.C.)- United States Representative Michael McCaul spent the past weekend in Iraq, Germany and Kuwait meeting with U.S. forces fighting the battle against terror. After McCaul was personally invited by the Secretary of Defense he was put in charge by the Speaker of the House of Representatives to lead a Congressional Delegation to the regions. Congressman Jim Marshall of Georgia and Congresswoman Cathy McMorris of Washington State traveled with McCaul.

"These are the men and women who we all need to support no matter what your opinion is of the war in Iraq," stated Congressman McCaul. He went on to say, "I found our troops to be very positive, motivated and proud of the work they are doing to secure freedom in Iraq and win the war on terror."

Friday morning McCaul lifted off from Andrews Air Force base as he led the Congressional Delegation to the Middle East. After landing at Talil Air Base, Iraq on Saturday, McCaul spent part of the morning meeting with U.S. Army troops and their commanders over lunch.

From Talil, McCaul led the delegation aboard a U.S. Air Force C-130 on a flight to Baghdad. Once on the ground he and the delegation toured and inspected an Iraqi training facility where the best of the Iraqi forces are preparing to take over the security of their nation.

"Having worked in counter-terrorism, I can say with the utmost confidence that the United States is providing the best training available to Iraq's military," stated McCaul.

From Baghdad the delegation traveled by Blackhawk helicopter to Tikrit, Sadam Hussein's place of birth and the city where U.S. forces captured him.
During the forty-five minute flight over the treetops of Iraq, McCaul noticed several Iraqi citizens waving and clapping to the American helicopters as they smiled in support of American forces.

Tikrit serves as the base of operations for the 136th Signal Battalion and Task Force Southern Lightning. This group of soldiers plays key roles in making sure all communications in and out of Iraq are kept flowing and clear of enemy eyes. Each soldier part of this battalion calls Texas home.

"It was an honor for me to talk and meet with these brave men and women," stated McCaul. McCaul added, "We talked about everything from the war effort to how we thought the Longhorns and Aggies were going to do during this next football season. I look forward to welcoming all of them home within the next few months."

After working thirty-five hours straight with little sleep, McCaul led the delegation to Ramstein Air Base in Germany, home to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, the hospital where America's Air Force flies all seriously wounded American soldiers from battles in Iraq and Afghanistan.

"I spent the afternoon speaking with some badly wounded soldiers. We talked about how they were wounded and how we must finish the job in Iraq so their pain and wounds would not be in vain. These conversations left a very deep impression on me," McCaul said. He added, "Especially after this visit, I believe even more than I did before, that the United States must make every effort to finish the job in Iraq and bring our troops home as soon as possible, and ultimately success in Iraq must be achieved by the Iraqi people and their government.

http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/tx10_mccaul/4_12_06_iraq_trip.html