US military leaves iraq القوات الاميريكية تغادر العراق

On March 20th, 2003 George W Bush gave the order to invade the Iraq of Saddam Hussein. Eight years later Saddam is gone and so has the US Army. The last troops left Iraq in the past week. Does this mean the war is over? For the US servicemen and women it might be, but if that is the case for the Iraqi people remains to be seen.

U.S. soldiers gather before the start of a ceremony marking the end of the U.S. military engagement, with the last American troops withdrawing nearly nine years after the invasion that ousted Saddam Hussein, at the former U.S. Sather Air Base near Baghdad December 15, 2011.

REUTERS/Mohammed Ameen

U.S. soldiers carry an Iraqi national flag (R) and an U.S. flag during a ceremony to retire the flags, marking the end of the U.S. military engagement at the Baghdad Diplomatic Support Center December 15, 2011. The U.S military officially ended its war in Iraq on Thursday, packing up their military flag at a ceremony with U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta nearly nine years after the invasion that ousted Saddam Hussein. REUTERS/Mohammed Ameen

Command Sargeant Major Joseph R. Allen (2nd R) and Commander of U.S. Forces in Iraq, General General Lloyd Austin (R), encase the U.S. Forces Iraq colors in Baghdad December 15, 2011. U.S. forces formally ended their nine-year war in Iraq on Thursday with a low key flag ceremony in Baghdad, while to the north flickering violence highlighted ethnic and sectarian strains threatening the country in years ahead. REUTERS/Pablo Martinez Monsivais/Pool

Members of the U.S. military board an Air Force C-130 transport plane at the end of their presence in Iraq at the Baghdad Diplomatic Support Center in Baghdad December 15, 2011. The U.S military officially ended its war in Iraq on Thursday, packing up a military flag at a ceremony with U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta nearly nine years after the invasion that ousted Saddam Hussein. This ceremony is called the casing of the colors and signifies the departing and inactivation of the U.S. military's presence in Iraq. REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton

Members of the U.S. military rest on board an Air Force C-130 transport plane marking the end of their presence in Iraq after departing the Baghdad Diplomatic Support Center in Baghdad December 15, 2011. The U.S military officially ended its war in Iraq on Thursday, packing up a military flag at a ceremony with U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta nearly nine years after the invasion that ousted Saddam Hussein. This ceremony is called the casing of the colors and signifies the departing and inactivation of the U.S. military's presence in Iraq. REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton

U.S. Army Sgt. First Class Adam Schuessler, from Travers City, Michigan, waits to board an Air Force C-130 transport plane to leave Iraq at the Baghdad Diplomatic Support Center in Baghdad December 15, 2011. U.S. forces formally ended their nine-year war in Iraq on Thursday with a low key flag ceremony in Baghdad, while to the north flickering violence highlighted ethnic and sectarian strains threatening the country in years ahead. REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton

Members of the U.S. military board sit in an Air Force C-130 transport plane after departing the Baghdad Diplomatic Support Center in Baghdad December 15, 2011. U.S. forces formally ended their nine-year war in Iraq on Thursday with a low key flag ceremony in Baghdad, while to the north flickering violence highlighted ethnic and sectarian strains threatening the country in years ahead. REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton

A contractor walks between trucks returned from Iraq to Camp Arafjan in Kuwait December 16, 2011. Vehicles which return from Iraq are scrapped or repaired, cleaned and shipped to Afghanistan or returned to the United States. REUTERS/Caren Firouz

U.S. Army soldiers from the 2-228th Aviation Regiment (L to R) Specialist Steven Rabbeth and Angel Vazquez throw papers in a fire as they wait for orders to leave Kuwait home to the United States at the U.S. Air Force base Ali Al Salem near Kuwait City December 16, 2011. U.S. forces formally ended their nine-year war in Iraq on Thursday with a low key flag ceremony in Baghdad, while to the north flickering violence highlighted ethnic and sectarian strains threatening the country in years ahead. REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton

Members of the United States Air Force from the 447 Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron (ELRS), one of the last units to leave Baghdad, arrive at U.S. Air Force base Ali Al Salem near Kuwait City December 17, 2011. American soldiers signed over their last military base to Iraqi officials on Friday with the U.S. troop pullout drawing to a swift end nearly nine years after the invasion that ousted Saddam Hussein. REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton

A mural in remembrance of the 9/11 attacks is pictured at U.S. Air Force base Ali Al Salem near Kuwait City, as units departing from Baghdad arrive at the base December 17, 2011. American soldiers signed over their last military base to Iraqi officials on Friday with the U.S. troop pullout drawing to a swift end nearly nine years after the invasion that ousted Saddam Hussein. REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Janna Less (C), 23, smiles as she sits on the last Air Force flight out of Ali Air Base near Nasiriyah, on route to Kuwait December 17, 2011. American soldiers signed over their last military base to Iraqi officials on Friday with the U.S. troop pullout drawing to a swift end nearly nine years after the invasion that ousted Saddam Hussein. REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton

U.S. Air Force airmen sit on the last Air Force flight out of Ali Air Base near Nasiriyah, en route to Kuwait December 17, 2011. American soldiers signed over their last military base to Iraqi officials on Friday with the U.S. troop pullout drawing to a swift end nearly nine years after the invasion that ousted Saddam Hussein. REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton

A U.S. Air Force airman walks to board the last Air Force flight out of Ali Air Base near Nasiriyah, en route to Kuwait December 17, 2011. American soldiers signed over their last military base to Iraqi officials on Friday with the U.S. troop pullout drawing to a swift end nearly nine years after the invasion that ousted Saddam Hussein. REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton

U.S. Air Force Airborne First Class Simeon Tidwell stands with his guitar as he waits to board the last Air Force flight out of Ali Air Base near Nasiriyah, en route to Kuwait December 17, 2011. American soldiers signed over their last military base to Iraqi officials on Friday with the U.S. troop pullout drawing to a swift end nearly nine years after the invasion that ousted Saddam Hussein. REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton

A United States military officer gestures upon entering Kuwait during their withdrawl from Iraq December 18, 2011. The last us military convoy leaves Iraq, ending the American withdrawal nearly nine years after invasion, a- U.S. military official said on Sunday. REUTERS/Caren Firouz

U.S. Army personnel retrieve their gear as they prepare to fly out of the former Sather Air Base in Baghdad December 15, 2011. U.S. forces formally ended their nine-year war in Iraq on Thursday with a low key flag ceremony in Baghdad, while to the north flickering violence highlighted ethnic and sectarian strains threatening the country in years ahead. Picture taken December 15, 2011. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson

A U.S. Army soldier carries his gear through a door as he prepares to fly out of Sather Air Base in Baghdad December 15, 2011. U.S. forces formally ended their nine-year war in Iraq on Thursday with a low key flag ceremony in Baghdad, while to the north flickering violence highlighted ethnic and sectarian strains threatening the country in years ahead. Picture taken December 15, 2011. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson

Soldiers from the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division go over last minute details before going out on the U.S. military's last combat patrol in the country, at Camp Adder near Nasiriyah December 16, 2011. Picture taken December 16, 2011. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson

Specialist Jason McIntyre smokes a cigarette as he stares at the emptiness of Camp Adder, the last United States base in the country, near Nasiriyah December 16, 2011. Picture taken December 16, 2011. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson

Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles line up to prepare before going out on the U.S. military's last combat patrol in the country, at Camp Adder near Nasiriyah December 16, 2011. Picture taken December 16, 2011. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson

Captain Chris Prange of the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division reads a book in the back of a Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles (MRAP) while waiting at a staging area in Camp Adder to be part of the last U.S. military convoy to leave the country near Nasiriyah, Iraq on December 17, 2011. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson/Pool

Specialist Matthew Syperda of the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division looks at his cellular phone inside his unit's Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle during the U.S. military's last combat patrol in the country on Highway 1, north of Camp Adder near Nasiriyah December 16, 2011. Picture taken December 16, 2011. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson

The sun rises in front of a truck driving through Camp Adder near Nasiriyah December 16, 2011. Picture taken December 16, 2011. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson

The sun sets behind an empty guard tower at Camp Adder near Nasiriyah, Iraq on December 17, 2011. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson/Pool

Soldiers from the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division stand outside their Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles after returning from the U.S. military's last combat patrol in the country, at Camp Adder near Nasiriyah December 17, 2011. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson

Private Adam Hendrix of the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division drives a Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle on the U.S. military's last combat patrol in the country, north of Camp Adder near Nasiriyah December 16, 2011. Picture taken December 16, 2011. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson

A soldier from the 3rd Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, walks past a blast wall in the nearly deserted Camp Adder, now known as Imam Ali Base, near Nasiriyah, Iraq December 16, 2011. The last convoy of U.S. soldiers pulled out of Iraq on Sunday, ending their withdrawal after nearly nine years of war and military intervention that cost almost 4,500 American and tens of thousands of Iraqi lives. Picture taken December 16, 2011. REUTERS/Mario Tama/Pool

Sergeant Daniel Martin of the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division protects the perimeter outside his unit's Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle during the U.S. military's last combat patrol in the country on Highway 1, north of Camp Adder, near Nasiriyah December 16, 2011. Picture taken December 16, 2011. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson

The sun rises as soldiers from the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division stand parked in their Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles before leaving on a mission at Camp Adder near Nasiriyah December 16, 2011. Picture taken December 16, 2011. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson

Specialist Shawn Browell of the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division installs the mounted gun on his units Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicle (MRAP) to be part of the last U.S. military convoy to leave Camp Adder near Nasiriyah, Iraq on December 17, 2011. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson/Pool

Soldiers from the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division hold their unit's flag for a photograph while waiting at a staging area in Camp Adder to be part of the last U.S. military convoy to leave the country near Nasiriyah, Iraq on December 17, 2011. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson/Pool

The sun rises behind an alleyway lined with blast walls and standing empty inside Camp Adder, the last United States base in Iraq, near Nasiriyah December 16, 2011. Picture taken December 16, 2011. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson

Soldiers from the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division sleep outside their Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle after a night time mission at Camp Adder near Nasiriyah December 16, 2011. Picture taken December 16, 2011. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson

Vehicles of the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division line up for the departure of the final convoy of U.S. military forces out of Iraq at Camp Adder near Nasiriyah, Iraq on December 17, 2011. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson/Pool

U.S. Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles drive through Camp Adder before departing what is now known as Imam Ali Base near Nasiriyah, Iraq December 16, 2011. The last convoy of U.S. soldiers pulled out of Iraq on Sunday, ending their withdrawal after nearly nine years of war and military intervention that cost almost 4,500 American and tens of thousands of Iraqi lives. Picture taken December 16, 2011. REUTERS/Mario Tama/Pool

Soldiers from the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division prepare their Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles (MRAP) before departing Camp Adder to be part of the last U.S. military convoy to leave the country near Nasiriyah, Iraq on December 17, 2011. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson/Pool

Highway 1 stretches out in front of a machine gun mounted on a Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle from the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division during the U.S. military's last combat patrol in the country, north of Camp Adder near Nasiriyah December 16, 2011. Picture taken December 16, 2011. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson

Concrete dividers, light towers, and dividers are all that remain inside of a convoy staging area at Camp Adder near Nasiriyah, Iraq on December 17, 2011. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson/Pool

Kuwaiti and U.S. soldiers close the border gate after the last vehicle crossed into Kuwait during the US miltary's withdrawal from Iraq December 18, 2011. The last convoy of U.S. soldiers pulled out of Iraq on Sunday, ending nearly nine years of war that cost almost 4,500 American and tens of thousands of Iraqi lives and left a country still grappling with political uncertainty. REUTERS/Caren Firouz

A United States soldier gestures as he crosses the Iraqi border into Kuwait December 18, 2011. The last convoy of U.S. soldiers pulled out of Iraq on Sunday, ending nearly nine years of war that cost almost 4,500 American and tens of thousands of Iraqi lives and left a country still grappling with political uncertainty.

REUTERS/Caren Firouz

Soldiers from the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division depart Camp Adder in their Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles (MRAP) as part of the last U.S. military convoy to leave the country near Nasiriyah, Iraq on December 17, 2011. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson/Pool

Sets of body armor belonging to members of the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division rest on the ground as soldiers depart Camp Adder to be part of the last U.S. military convoy to leave the country near Nasiriyah, Iraq on December 17, 2011. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson/Pool

U.S. Army National Guard soldiers prepare to depart in a Medevac helicopter to assist the last convoy from Iraq at Camp Adder, now known as Imam Ali Base, near Nasiriyah, Iraq December 17, 2011. The last convoy of U.S. soldiers pulled out of Iraq on Sunday, ending their withdrawal after nearly nine years of war and military intervention that cost almost 4,500 American and tens of thousands of Iraqi lives. Picture taken December 17, 2011. REUTERS/Mario Tama/Pool

The sun sets behind an empty staging area in Camp Adder which is the departure point for the last U.S. military convoy to leave the country near Nasiriyah December 17, 2011. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson

A soldier from the 3rd Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division holds a flag during a casing of the colors ceremony while preparing to depart in the last convoy from Iraq at Camp Adder, now known as Imam Ali Base near Nasiriyah, Iraq December 17, 2011. The last convoy of U.S. soldiers pulled out of Iraq on Sunday, ending their withdrawal after nearly nine years of war and military intervention that cost almost 4,500 American and tens of thousands of Iraqi lives. Picture taken December 17, 2011. REUTERS/Mario Tama/Pool

Specialist Gregory Weigand of Gastonia, North Carolina, from the 3rd Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division rides to the convoy staging area in a Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle while preparing to depart in the last convoy from Iraq at Camp Adder, now known as Imam Ali Base, near Nasiriyah December 17, 2011. The last convoy of U.S. soldiers pulled out of Iraq on Sunday, ending nearly nine years of war that cost almost 4,500 American and tens of thousands of Iraqi lives and left a country still grappling with political uncertainty. REUTERS/Mario Tama/Pool

Specialist Matthew Hildebrandt from the 3rd Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division smokes while preparing to depart from Iraq at Camp Adder, now known as Imam Ali Base, near Nasiriyah December 17, 2011. The last convoy of U.S. soldiers pulled out of Iraq on Sunday, ending nearly nine years of war that cost almost 4,500 American and tens of thousands of Iraqi lives and left a country still grappling with political uncertainty. REUTERS/Mario Tama/Pool

Soldiers Peter Nemmers (L-R), Morgan Bright and Matthew Hildebrandt from the 3rd Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division laugh while preparing to depart from Iraq at Camp Adder, now known as Imam Ali Base, near Nasiriyah December 17, 2011. The last convoy of U.S. soldiers pulled out of Iraq on Sunday, ending nearly nine years of war that cost almost 4,500 American and tens of thousands of Iraqi lives and left a country still grappling with political uncertainty. REUTERS/Mario Tama/Pool

Duffel bags belonging to soldiers from the 3rd Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, are stacked for departure at the nearly deserted Camp Adder, now known as Imam Ali Base, near Nasiriyah December 16, 2011. The last convoy of U.S. soldiers pulled out of Iraq on Sunday, ending nearly nine years of war that cost almost 4,500 American and tens of thousands of Iraqi lives and left a country still grappling with political uncertainty. Picture taken December 16, 2011. REUTERS/Mario Tama/Pool

Boot footprints are seen in front of U.S. Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles in the nearly deserted Camp Adder, now known as Imam Ali Base, near Nasiriyah December 16, 2011. The last convoy of U.S. soldiers pulled out of Iraq on Sunday, ending nearly nine years of war that cost almost 4,500 American and tens of thousands of Iraqi lives and left a country still grappling with political uncertainty. Picture taken December 16, 2011. REUTERS/Mario Tama/Pool

A soldier from the 3rd Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, walks through the nearly deserted Camp Adder, now known as Imam Ali Base, near Nasiriyah December 16, 2011. The last convoy of U.S. soldiers pulled out of Iraq on Sunday, ending nearly nine years of war that cost almost 4,500 American and tens of thousands of Iraqi lives and left a country still grappling with political uncertainty. Picture taken December 16, 2011. REUTERS/Mario Tama/Pool

A closed barber shop, which was ran by Iraqis, sits empty in the nearly deserted Camp Adder, now known as Imam Ali Base, near Nasiriyah December 16, 2011. The last convoy of U.S. soldiers pulled out of Iraq on Sunday, ending nearly nine years of war that cost almost 4,500 American and tens of thousands of Iraqi lives and left a country still grappling with political uncertainty. Picture taken December 16, 2011. REUTERS/Mario Tama/Pool

A Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle drives past blast walls through the nearly deserted Camp Adder, now known as Imam Ali Base, near Nasiriyah December 16, 2011. The last convoy of U.S. soldiers pulled out of Iraq on Sunday, ending nearly nine years of war that cost almost 4,500 American and tens of thousands of Iraqi lives and left a country still grappling with political uncertainty. Picture taken December 16, 2011. REUTERS/Mario Tama/Pool

U.S. soldiers from the 3rd Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division depart a mission brief on their way to perform perimeter security at Camp Adder, now known as Imam Ali Base, near Nasiriyah December 16, 2011. The last convoy of U.S. soldiers pulled out of Iraq on Sunday, ending nearly nine years of war that cost almost 4,500 American and tens of thousands of Iraqi lives and left a country still grappling with political uncertainty. Picture taken December 16, 2011. REUTERS/Mario Tama/Pool

Specialist Shunterika Lewis from the 3rd Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division laughs while preparing to depart in the last convoy from Iraq at Camp Adder, now known as Imam Ali Base, near Nasiriyah December 17, 2011. The last convoy of U.S. soldiers pulled out of Iraq on Sunday, ending nearly nine years of war that cost almost 4,500 American and tens of thousands of Iraqi lives and left a country still grappling with political uncertainty. Picture taken December 17, 2011. REUTERS/Mario Tama/Pool

United States military vehicles enter Kuwait during their withdrawal from Iraq December 18, 2011. The last convoy of U.S. soldiers pulled out of Iraq on Sunday, ending nearly nine years of war that cost almost 4,500 American and tens of thousands of Iraqi lives and left a country still grappling with political uncertainty. REUTERS/Caren Firouz

United States soldiers returning from Iraq unload the ammunition from their weapons inside Kuwait near the Iraqi border December 18, 2011. The last convoy of U.S. soldiers pulled out of Iraq on Sunday, ending nearly nine years of war that cost almost 4,500 American and tens of thousands of Iraqi lives and left a country still grappling with political uncertainty. REUTERS/Caren Firouz

A line of Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles from the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division that are part of the last U.S. military convoy to leave Iraq drive south on Highway 1 towards Kuwait December 18, 2011. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson

Specialist Dante Battle from the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division secures the perimeter outside of a Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle on the way to cross the Kuwaiti border as part of the last U.S. military convoy to leave Iraq December 18, 2011. The last convoy of U.S. soldiers pulled out of Iraq on Sunday, ending nearly nine years of war that cost almost 4,500 American and tens of thousands of Iraqi lives and left a country still grappling with political uncertainty. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson

The Kuwaiti desert stretches beyond a U.S. flag on the dashboard of a Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle from the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division that is part of the last U.S. military convoy to leave Iraq December 18, 2011. The last convoy of U.S. soldiers pulled out of Iraq on Sunday, ending nearly nine years of war that cost almost 4,500 American and tens of thousands of Iraqi lives and left a country still grappling with political uncertainty. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson

Staff Sergeant Prince House from the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division rides in a Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle on the way to cross the Kuwaiti border as part of the last U.S. military convoy to leave Iraq December 18, 2011. The last convoy of U.S. soldiers pulled out of Iraq on Sunday, ending nearly nine years of war that cost almost 4,500 American and tens of thousands of Iraqi lives and left a country still grappling with political uncertainty. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson

Specialist Dante Battle with the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division watches the sun rise from within his Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle as his crew nears the Kuwaiti border while traveling in the last U.S. military convoy to leave Iraq December 18, 2011. The last convoy of U.S. soldiers pulled out of Iraq on Sunday, ending nearly nine years of war that cost almost 4,500 American and tens of thousands of Iraqi lives and left a country still grappling with political uncertainty. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson

Soldiers from the 3rd Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division salute during a re-enlistment ceremony for Staff Sergeant Brant Smith, from Dothan, Alabama, while preparing to depart in the last convoy from Iraq at Camp Adder, now known as Imam Ali Base near Nasiriyah, December 17, 2011. Smith re-enlisted for three years of service at the ceremony which he wanted to hold at the staging area for the last convoy. Pictur taken December 17, 2011. REUTERS/Mario Tama/Pool

Soldiers from the 3rd Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division board a C-17 transport plane to depart from Iraq at Camp Adder, now known as Imam Ali Base, near Nasiriyah, December 17, 2011. Picture taken December 17, 2011. REUTERS/Mario Tama/Pool

Soldiers from the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division stand in line to pack their weapons for shipment back to the United States at Camp Virginia, Kuwait December 19, 2011. The 3rd Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division was the last U.S. Military unit to depart Iraq and is processing to return to Fort Hood, Texas. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson

Soldiers from the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division pack their weapons for shipment back to the United States at Camp Virginia, Kuwait December 19, 2011. The 3rd Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division was the last U.S. Military unit to depart Iraq and is processing to return to Fort Hood, Texas. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson

Private Trevor Taylor from the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division reads serial numbers off weapons that are being prepared for shipment back to the United States at Camp Virginia, Kuwait December 19, 2011. The 3rd Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division was the last U.S. Military unit to depart Iraq and is processing to return to Fort Hood, Texas. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson

M-16 rifles and M-9 pistols belonging to the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Calvary Division rest on a tarp before being packed for shipment back to the United States at Camp Virginia, Kuwait December 19, 2011. The 3rd Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division was the last U.S. Military unit to depart Iraq and is processing to return to Fort Hood, Texas. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson

A soldier from the 3rd Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division carries his bag to begin his trip back to the United States at Camp Virginia, Kuwait December 20, 2011. The 3rd Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division was the last U.S. Military unit to depart Iraq and is processing to return to Fort Hood, Texas. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson

A U.S. Air Force airman sleeps as he waits inside a customs transport terminal while enroute to their flight home to the United States at the U.S. Air Force base Ali Al Salem near Kuwait City December 19, 2011. REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton

Soldiers from the 3rd Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division sit on a charter flight that will take them from Kuwait back to Fort Hood in the United States December 21, 2011. The 3rd Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division was the last U.S. military unit to depart Iraq. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson

U.S. President Barack Obama watches the return of the United States Forces-Iraq Colors during a ceremony at Joint Base Andrews marking and the end of the war in Iraq December 20, 2011. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque

U.S. Air Force airman Staff Sgt. Justin Rogers waits for his luggage as he arrives in Baltimore Washington International Airport, Maryland December 20, 2011. U.S. troops arrived home after their withdrawal from Iraq via the U.S. Air Force base Ali Al Salem in Kuwait. REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton

U.S. Air Force airman Lt. Col. Steven Vilpors walks with his wife Joanna and children Connor (R) and Alina (L) as he arrives in Baltimore Washington International Airport, Maryland December 20, 2011. U.S. troops arrived home after their withdrawal from Iraq via the U.S. Air Force base Ali Al Salem in Kuwait. REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton

A soldier from the 3rd Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division kisses her husband during a homecoming ceremony to welcome the unit home at Fort Hood,Texas December 21, 2011. The 3rd Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division was the last U.S. military unit to depart Iraq. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson

Staff Sergeant Brock Duffel of the 25th Infantry Lightning Brigade hugs his family after he returned from his last tour in Iraq to Schofield Barracks in Wahiawa, Hawaii December 18,2011. He was part of the last pull out of U.S. Army troops from the Iraq war. As the last American soldiers leave Iraq, the U.S. State Department assumes the reins of a complex and risky operation, the success or failure of which could determine whether the costly nine-year U.S. engagement with the country finally bears fruit. REUTERS/Hugh Gentry

Staff Sergeant Brock Duffel of the 25th Infantry Lightning Brigade hugs his daughter Klaire (L) as his other daughter Abigail (R) looks on, after he returned from his last tour in Iraq to Schofield Barracks in Wahiawa, Hawaii December 18,2011. He was part of the last pull out of U.S. Army troops from the Iraq war. As the last American soldiers leave Iraq, the U.S. State Department assumes the reins of a complex and risky operation, the success or failure of which could determine whether the costly nine-year U.S. engagement with the country finally bears fruit. REUTERS/Hugh Gentry

Sergeant Kory Mead of the 25th Infantry Lightning Brigade holds his son Matthew (L) as his wife Lita (R) gives him a flower lei, after he returned from his last tour in Iraq to Schofield Barracks in Wahiawa, Hawaii December 18,2011. He was part of the last pull out of U.S. Army troops from the Iraq war. As the last American soldiers leave Iraq, the U.S. State Department assumes the reins of a complex and risky operation, the success or failure of which could determine whether the costly nine-year U.S. engagement with the country finally bears fruit. REUTERS/Hugh Gentry

Major General Bernard Champoux, Division Commander of the 25th Infantry Lightning Brigade, holds his granddaughter Layla Kate after he returned from his last tour in Iraq to Schofield Barracks in Wahiawa, Hawaii December 18,2011. He was part of the last pull out of U.S. Army troops from the Iraq war. As the last American soldiers leave Iraq, the U.S. State Department assumes the reins of a complex and risky operation, the success or failure of which could determine whether the costly nine-year U.S. engagement with the country finally bears fruit. REUTERS/Hugh Gentry

Private Devin Alderman from the 3rd Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division hugs his girlfriend, Gislaine Powers, during a homecoming ceremony to welcome the unit home at Fort Hood, Texas December 21, 2011. The 3rd Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division was the last U.S. military unit to depart Iraq.