Because Iraq and Afganistan are not the only problem areas and because they will not be the flash points forever. The military has bases world-wide for a reason and that is that no part of the world is outside of our sphere of interests and not part of the world is ever safe. You make sure that you can respond from whatever part of the world becomes the next problem area.
And yes, I was a Marine NCO and am a retired AF officer; I’m LMAO at your short-sighted view.
“I’m LMAO at your short-sighted view?”
The families of my fellow dead Marines who gave their all in Iraq and I don’t find your laughter very funny.