Commander Charts Progress in Baghdad, Diyala

– A mix of force, good governance and economic stimuli has resulted in a turnaround for an area in Iraq that once was a hotbed of Sunni and Shiite insurgents. [snip]

“In our time here, murders have declined by greater than 50 percent, from 631 in '06 to 253 in '07,” [context: many US cities average between 700-1100 murders/year] Grigsby said in a video hook-up from Baghdad. “Shop owners are selling their goods in revitalized markets, and we are now down to maybe one attack every other day.” [snip]

“We did bloody the nose of the enemy, and the enemy does fear us, both coalition forces and Iraqi security forces. We never forgot what a U.S. Army heavy brigade combat team is built to do: to close with and destroy the enemy."

The unit’s soldiers head back to Fort Benning, Ga., knowing they have made a difference, Grigsby said.

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