Feed: CNN.com - WORLD
Posted on: Sunday, December 18, 2011 11:25 PM
Author: CNN.com - WORLD
Subject: Last U.S. troops exit Iraq
About 500 U.S. soldiers cross into Kuwait, ending almost nine years of war in Iraq. It marks the end of the largest troop drawdown for the U.S. since Vietnam. |
Deadly Iraq war ends with exit of last U.S. troops
- NEW: The withdrawal of U.S. troops stirs conflicting emotions on the streets of Baghdad
- About 500 U.S. soldiers cross into Kuwait, ending almost nine years of war in Iraq
- They are the last U.S. troops in the largest drawdown since the Vietnam War
- They make the journey south from Camp Adder, the U.S. base closest to Kuwaiti border
(CNN) -- Early Sunday, as the sun ascended to the winter sky, the very last American convoy made its way down the main highway that connects Iraq and Kuwait.
The military called it its final "tactical road march." A series of 110 heavily armored, hulking trucks and Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles carrying about 500 soldiers streamed slowly but steadily out of the combat zone.
A few minutes before 8 a.m., the metal gate behind the last MRAP closed. With it came to an end a deadly and divisive war that lasted almost nine years, its enormous cost calculated in blood and billions.
Some rushed to touch the gate, forever a symbol now of an emotional, landmark day. Some cheered with the Army's ultimate expression of affirmation: "Hooah!"
"It's hard to put words to it right now," said Lt. Col. Jack Vantress.
"It's a feeling of elation," he said, "to see what we've accomplished in the last eight-and-a-half years and then to be part of the last movement out of Iraq."
Once, when hundreds of thousands of Americans were in Iraq, the main highway was better known as Main Supply Route Tampa and soldiers trekked north towards Baghdad and beyond, never knowing what danger lurked on their path.
Analysts: Questions remain as U.S. troops leave
On this monumental day, the Texas-based 3rd Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 1st Cavalry Division's main concern was how to avoid a traffic jam on their final journey in Iraq.
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, on December 16. 
Soldiers from the 3rd Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division bow their heads in prayer during a casing of the colors ceremony while preparing to depart from Iraq at Camp Adder, now known as Imam Ali Base, near Nasiriyah, Iraq. 
Soldiers rejoice in the convoy staging area before departing Camp Adder. 
Soldiers (left to right) Peter Nemmers, Morgan Bright and Matthew Hildebrandt from the 3rd Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division laugh while preparing to depart from Iraq at Camp Adder. 
Specialist Shunterika Lewis from the 3rd Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division laughs while preparing to depart in the last convoy from Iraq at Camp Adder. 
Soldiers from the 3rd Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division toss out trash while preparing to depart in the last convoy from Iraq. 
U.S. Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles drive through Camp Adder before departing what is now known as Imam Ali Base on December 16. 
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, on December 17 near Nasiriyah, Iraq. 
One of the first U.S. Humvees cross the Iraq-Kuwait border on December 18 to signify the "tactical road march" out of the combat zone. 
A U.S. soldier gives a thumbs up from the roof of his brigade's Humvee while crossing the Iraq-Kuwait border. 
U.S. and Iraqi troops line up as the final U.S. Army convoy crosses the border from Iraq into Kuwait. 
A U.S. cargo trailer crosses the Iraq-Kuwait border for the final time. 
U.S. and Iraqi commanders shake hands to mark the end of the United States' presence in the Iraq combat zone. 
Last U.S. troops leave Iraq 
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