Maj. Gen. Rick Lynch

Welcome back to Finneran for broadcasting live from Boston AM 680 WRKO I'm joined by my -- every Tuesday morning the one and only Wendy Murphy. And we are delighted to welcome to -- it's forum. Major general Rick lynch he is on the ground serious command responsibilities for probably the most serious. Undertaking our nation's been involved in in many many years with delighted to welcome different forum here in eastern Massachusetts. In in New Hampshire major general Rick lynch major general welcome good morning. We do what five major general and way to run a two they be able to connect with you -- get an up to the minute report on. What is going on first things first you know in the midst of a presidential campaign in the back and forth. I know as a military guy you can only put that in your rear view mirror and just keep moving ahead. How would you describe general lynch. The steerage policy today what has it achieved and what of the challenges which lie ahead.

That's our third deployment over here this time here's the division commander the 20000 soldiers on the -- and then we came in a sport this surged eleven months ago. When we -- here eleven must -- we're being attacked about 1220 part time today now he attacked twice today. On mars mission to secure the population here that I Khmer criticizes state it was -- and we get. Probably get less than you know one or two casualties over the course of the day composer either Iraqi casualties -- because these are registry -- so we're making progress at all automated it is impressive to me haven't been years longer have a camp multiple deployments. The progress on the grounds.

May degenerative mention the multiple deployments that you have served we're grateful and it -- actually be of service swim extraordinarily grateful. Far -- we realized the sacrifice that you and your family make all of us back here at home with the multiple deployments not just of yourself but of the amended we read about national guide to units being redeployed and extended extended stays in the like. How would you describe the level of stress on the fighting force the fighting capacity in the families of the S servicemen and women.

I political problem not personal lawyer Mark and we for the last six years Brighton and whatever our nation or -- of the soldiers. Also put their global -- well and I have been over multiple holidays and -- would deny it is difficult. Evans said that you know my soldiers understand what we're doing is important. And they realistic in droves on the 21 November on the division sport they don't courage realistic. 300 much older education relation to have a war on the 21 of November when. We'll make realist objective of the division. The entire fiscal year by the first people so the Soviet far that the for the Soviet motivated and they're focused and know what to do is important haven't kept their. The stresses on the -- I mean it's difficult for the families to be away from there there are soldier's -- just its power. So we as an army -- focused on -- damaged and a general Casey is an assault on an army and the government. Complexion of the family's civil focused on and so a lot of money is an army over the last year on making lives better for -- so the stress is there. Our soldiers are focused and adoption -- it's difficult to -- with more damage in the true isn't really -- ourselves.

Major general is somebody is commanded to men and led -- women it's a battle for many many years and in obviously have different X extraordinary recognition and Iraq for that. How would you evaluate the Iraqi forces with whom you are cooperating and working. Type -- progress that they have made in the type of confidence. That EU when you our troops have all -- perhaps do not have.

That's great question commentator. Markedly improved capability for the Iraqi army and the Iraqi police -- in my here I've got about 20000. US soldiers and I got about 20000 Iraqi soldiers and they are indeed focused on her mission as well they're here. To protect their freedom to their families and I've been getting better every day there's many of our operations. -- Iraqi army. Is in the lead there's certain portion of my battle space turned over and over polluted director portions. That I have so much conference to market improve that they still got a way to go but we're getting we're making parker.

Major journals Wendy Murphy here I am in red like so many. Citizens at a very disturbing story yesterday as a mom that I found a particularly disturbing -- the military sometimes. Is criticizing American military for casualties civilian casualties this story that I'm talking about sure you've heard -- that there would that be Al Qaeda is now using kids as young as ten years old. Either participants in the war or -- is literally kids with with weapons or you know. I -- I'm not sure they blowing themselves up for what the that the question I have for you is. Are you seeing that I am in you know an increase in al qaeda's use of kits and other vulnerable. Types of citizens we -- mentally retarded people were blowing themselves up in -- in a different region last week. -- are you concerned that with kids being used now by Al Qaeda is that you're gonna have to take a different view of what the definition of a civilian and looks like imminent are you worried about. The role of the military in dealing with this.

They already have and I've ever seen a more vicious and humane enemies and Al Qaeda and a party here correct. And we truly have occurred on the ropes he is and I believe no word what list of relentless pursuit of the -- in my battle space to kill or capture about. 6000 since you've been here we've taken out XP of their leaders and that's difficult than -- groups that we can see them resorted to tactics like trying to train youngsters. And women to do these issues expert it's not it's not prevalent Kosovo -- heightened -- awareness. Are always focused on who's appeared -- The other remembers that when -- point six million Iraqis. On any given day there's only about 10000 insurgents. And most forty million Iraqis what they want is what we want they want freedom computer they want to -- school. Norville go to work -- have a job so it's not what we walked on the streets naked everybody's an enemy but we won't be cautious alert. Potomac soldiers and -- safety and security their first third. Not be -- adverse.

We're talking major general Rick lynch he is division commander over in Iraq talking about the still the morale of his forces the progress that they have made. He had a great reminding you just gave -- major general lynch about the that you really the same kind of desperate quest that the Iraqi people have that we have here in America. Good communities good schools throughout children that predictability and safety as we go about our lives enjoying the freedoms that really all people should be entitled to would what do markers sacrificing in blood and treasure to secure that for the Iraqis I think is -- is a noble cause for -- Tell us if you can't about the the challenge of IE appease the the equipment situation as it stands now in what you see and detect if you will about. Iranian influence and Iranian intrigue in all these. Violent dynamics.

Ever get that three sets and a -- here we are Sunni extremist and negotiate extremist and we have. -- certain deal liberated influence and all those spots of enemies they're different. Tactics techniques and procedures. You know you mentioned improvised explosive devices -- eat these and that's what's -- most of my -- so lost -- 128 soldiers and we've been here. They've made the ultimate sacrifice and the majority of them were killed by Archimedes. So we've developed our own procedures to find -- these reported lower we have now. What we call concern local citizens be sure in my area 31000 Iraqis to come forward to it. We've had enough of the violence we've had enough intimidation let us help. So their shoulders where these -- these are -- their shoulders where the weapons are being -- and that's very helpful. There were always sensitive -- any kind of influence they're trying to make these extremists. More capable and will focus on Iranian influence is won't back portion my battle space has the redirect forum -- province -- other indicators that things coming in director Miranda does happen. You know I've found what he had weapons caches since have been here with radiant weapons and -- sort of -- edited by Iranian weapons of it is indeed concern. There's not a concern so warm you just want to focus on all the time.

And major general Wendy Murphy and it and thanks so much for all of the work that you're doing it sounds like things are going really well and interestingly enough with the presidential race well underway here I find it fascinating that people aren't really talking too much about the search because is basically no dispute but that the surge is moving us in the right direction but it's working and that's on and on both sides I think that's good and and and the direct result of folks like Q. I -- my question I guess is and I want to go back to we started with. So there appears to be great to illustrate us among your guys in the women that you're leading over there and their feeling like they miss home perhaps more so than they can tolerate. If we really are Macon headway and the searches work king and your senior guys in your women are stressed and they they miss Tom. Are you suggesting and isn't likely to happened that they're be a change in either policy or law that allows the troops to. Travel back and forth more and it is that something that when things seemed to move in the right direction you think we can embrace without putting the citizens at risk.

So you focus when -- virtual result time in this part of world. Current policies we've handled soldiers home for eighteen days in the middle their tour so it has been spent time with family and -- there I was that the tip of the spear at the worst portable battlefield and we've already labeled virtual -- out there with their email and web -- So being so they can respective families so were were doing everything we can. To produce any kind of stressed but I don't want to mislead you by soldiers are focused here will fight then -- and our nation's wars. I do in my soldiers do what we do. For our children and their children -- grew up in Hamilton Ohio and I did -- read it worked very Boston by the way I was never afraid that. Go to school global go to work my parents weren't afraid to send me outside and I'll not -- that my family growth in a situation there there were they have. For they don't have the freedom to graduates are my soldier focused on the mission. Our family are indeed miss innocent we're missing a fearless but will get through this it's the right thing to do I believe -- protecting our freedoms and our allies. I'm proud to serve with.

Major general it's again Tom -- here with -- always to speak to a -- guy anytime -- have a -- I come here east and you know over proceed with their education what Boston is just -- a great great senator and you've got you come from a great state truly the hot land of America earn fabulous people up there -- a lot of folks a lot of a lot of the bouts of Buckeyes. Tell us how you would describe for a listening audience. The state of these civilian infrastructure. In Iraq the area that's under your command with three got to the things we take for granted back home in Ohio here in Massachusetts electricity 247. Running water you know just really a public a civilian infrastructure that is functional and that allows us to go forward what's the status of that right now in Iraq.

this place I was decimated by thirty years of neglect than it is for Saddam Hussein Ryan Ryan and it's it's a mess. Some places better than others with what I found out that the security situation is better the conversation exchange are used that -- patrol bases and plan major combat operation not our children to get out walk amongst the population. The last what's on the mind if it's not about security it's about services and they want water and -- want electricity they want schools we want clinics. No we've been able to do work with the generation US -- is improve their services so we're working hard with the Iraqi government and our government. I think improve your needs its. Where are worse today than they had no electricity no potable water in about four months they'll have built because the world to get that.

Well I mean I think those type of achievements as has really as mundane as they might seem that become crucial I think -- winning the hearts and minds of the the population that you did to help and give it to serve it's -- that's encouraging to know that in a relatively short period of time. They might actually begin to see progress certainly on that front I'm curious about the level of enthusiasm of the coalition forces with whom you work -- talked about the Iraqi forces themselves and obviously American men and servicemen and women. The coalition partners that you have. Have they become more enthusiastic about the around sets of boots on the ground as this energy policy seems to be showing so much progress.

Yet -- 888 different nations are working for me in addition the United States of America and for example I've got an entire infantry brigade out of the country of Georgia 3000. Infantry soldiers in there you're focused on the mission as well they know what they're doing it's important -- I'm honored to share this battle for the what do I have solution. What point the missile which could darkest on polish no Salvador and they do these either progress -- and I believe their nation. These progress you know my biggest concern Tom is that I'm nurture. My nation this theater progress -- we we spent a lot of time trying to tell the good news stories talk about the progress we've made over here. And really -- it make its way to the national media filter. So it's like take every opportunity to talk to folks like you wouldn't be so I assure the American public. The progress that's been.

Well you know we have our own sense of frustration with that and we see the filters and in and we get different stories from the men and women who come back in the us so enthusiastic about the mission what they were able to do. They know they're committed to a cause that's loud to the themselves in many ways which is why again we old view and then. It set off. He essentially admiration and we're delighted to provide really this this this window this microphone. In many ways major general he commenting anticipate -- my last question and it and it would be this is the anything in particular that we can do back here back home to help you to help that the people that you lead. Make sure that America is victorious -- that this story is told.

Two great question I appreciate that opportunity so understood understood sold dread has had the opportunity to serve our nation. Now the thirty years in uniform but understood soldier or use myself as an example. When I get back home and I get off to airplane I'm more into -- airport in uniform it makes my virtual war when the American public comes up just thank you. Thank -- That's what the -- want they want to be appreciated they want to know that America support staff sometimes we get frustrated. Looking at the TV or read the newspapers receive all the big debates about what's going on. But I got -- they would teach those born is or -- on the conditions important. And through November could support just all -- all the hoosiers every time missing soldier. I would like to me that we are -- soldiers camera told blacks -- main -- in the world to.

In major general I am. You know I'm I'm proud to say that I do go out of my way and I see a man or woman in uniform to say thank you to do exactly that you know they deserve our support no matter what you think about the war. -- and so. We want to offer you any opportunity to come on and also if you tire in contact with anyone who's within our radio. Listening audience. And they'd like to use exists on technology to speak either to the region or to their family members and and support that if they need a good pat on the back directly from home just call us we'll facilitate that any time with -- and exactly have backed you know the fancy Internet communications staff thought -- we have. We have radio we have lots of listeners would be glad to give whatever morale boost we cannot for through this sad little radio station yup.

Absolutely -- special thanks to you major general Rick -- Rick lynch calling in live division commander wrote in Iraq in just a fabulously and a great story Wendy how do you not feel good. About that's -- the sacrifice the leadership the commitment to cause making sure we remind ourselves the Iraqi people want to we're -- what we have -- it would not happen without. Without people like major general. Rick lynch -- tell you very much for a special thanks for the major general for joining us and we will be back in a moment on Finneran forum AM 680 WRKO