[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Thanks!

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

On a cloudless day in January, my entry to Baghdad on a C-130 was marked by a fuselage-shuddering, steep descent from high altitude to the tarmac at Baghdad International Airport - or BIAP, as we say here. It has to be that way, every time, for the safest, quickest way to the ground. This is a dangerous place. I am United States Marine - so I know I am in the right place.

You know, its one thing having an airport's name go from Idlewild to John F. Kennedy. But on my watch here as a U.S. Marine, I will be damned if I allow this airport ever to change back to Saddam International Airport. Let that be a symbol of the fact that there will be no rollback. We will not falter or leave before the job is done.

===============================     Q