Securing Bagdad: Stryker Unit in 'Defining Battle' of Iraq

BAGHDAD, Iraq, Aug. 8, 2006 — -- Lt. Gen. Peter Chiarelli, the commanding general of the multinational forces in Iraq, had the difficult duty today of telling 3,700 soldiers why they were going to have to stay in Iraq a while longer.

A few weeks ago, hours before they had expected to go home, the soldiers heard from their commander that their tours of duty were being extended. Chiarelli's aim today was to have them understand the mission they had been assigned.

ABC News correspondent Martha Raddatz, continuing her reports from Baghdad, was with the general when he broke the news to the troops.

Chiarelli is charged with carrying out the new, sweeping plan to regain control of Baghdad. It is considered one of the most critical missions ever undertaken by U.S. forces. This is so critical, 3,700 soldiers assigned to the Stryker Brigade were told just moments before heading home from a year in Iraq that they would have to remain in the region for up to four more months.

Today Chiarelli met with some of the soldiers to explain. The following is a transcript of a portion of the meeting:

"I just want to tell you guys how proud we are of you and the way that you handled this. And I know it was a kick in the stomach. There's no doubt about it. Twelve months in this place is long enough for anybody. I know. I've done it before.

"I know what that means to you personally, 'cause you get over a hump and you're looking forward to going home and I know what that does to your families back home.

"And I hope you know that this decision was not made lightly. It was not made lightly. As Gen. Casey says, 'This will be the defining battle,' so to speak, of this particular campaign. We've got to take back Baghdad.

"And really the only force in the United States Army, and I really believe this, the best, the most capable force to do that is the Stryker Brigade. And that's hard for me to say wearing these boots. But the fact of the matter is, because of who you are and what you do and what you represent and what you bring to the fight, your speed in moving around in urban areas, your tremendous capability to gain and process intelligence, there's no doubt in my mind that you will make the difference.