THE TENSION: Combat Camera: Senator John McCain on Deck, Surveys Iraq Progress

Arizona Republican Senator John McCain greets local businessmen as he walks through the streets of Haditha City, Iraq. McCain visited Iraq to view the progress that has been made by the Iraqi people and coalition forces. (Photo/Cpl. Shawn Coolman)

The Provincial Governor of Ramadi, Ma’Moun Sami Rashid, and Arizona Republican Senator John McCain, tour through Haditha City, Iraq. Rashid and McCain toured the local area to view the progress that has been made. Rashid has worked extensively with the coalition forces to re-build the area's government structure. Area elections are scheduled in October, and Rashid is hopeful that great things will continue to happen in the Haditha Triad. (Photo/Cpl. Shawn Coolman)

Arizona Republican Senator John McCain, toured through Haditha City, Iraq. McCain toured the local area to view the progress that has been made between coalition and Iraqi forces, as well as local government officials. (Photo/Cpl. Shawn Coolman)

Arizona Republican Senator John McCain, tours through Haditha City, Iraq. McCain viewed the progress that has been made by coalition and Iraqi forces. (Photo/Cpl. Shawn Coolman)

The Provincial Governor of Ramadi, Ma’Moun Sami Rashid, and Arizona Republican Senator John McCain, speaks to local businessmen during a tour through Haditha City, Iraq. Rashid and McCain toured the local area to view progress that has been made. Rashid has worked extensively with coalition forces to re-build the area's government structure. Area elections are scheduled to be held in October, and Rashid is hopeful that great things will continue to happen in the Haditha Triad. (Photo/Cpl. Shawn Coolman)

The Provincial Governor of Ramadi, Ma’Moun Sami Rashid, and Arizona Republican Senator John McCain, speak to local businessmen during a tour through Haditha City, Iraq. Rashid and McCain toured the local area to view progress that has been made. Rashid has worked extensively with coalition forces to re-build the areas government structure. Area elections are scheduled to be held in October, and Rashid is hopeful that great things will continue to happen in the Haditha Triad. (Photo/Cpl. Shawn Coolman)

The Provincial Governor of Ramadi, Ma’Moun Sami Rashid, and Arizona Republican Senator John McCain, greet each other in Haditha City, Iraq. Together, they toured the area to see progress that has been made Iraqis and Coalition forces. The delegation, which also included South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham, walked casually through the city streets without the aid of personal protective equipment to showcase the vastly improved conditions of the area. (Photo/Cpl. Shawn Coolman)

Arizona Republican Senator John McCain tours through Haditha City, Iraq. McCain toured Iraq to view progress made by coalition and Iraqi forces. (Photo/Cpl. Shawn Coolman)

Provincial Governor of Ramadi Ma’Moun Sami Rashid, and Arizona Republican Senator John McCain, greet local businessmen as they walk through streets of Haditha City, Iraq. The purpose of their visit was to view the progress that has been made by Iraqi people and coalition forces. Rashid greeted everyone in the city as area elections are scheduled to be held in October. Rashid has helped to build and strengthen the local governmental bodies of the Haditha Triad. (Photo/Cpl. Shawn Coolman)

Arizona Republican Senator John McCain meets with Amenah Al'a Thabit, 2, her mother Maha Muhamed Bandar and her father Al'a Thabit Fattah during a tour through Haditha City, Iraq. Amenah returned to the city March 7 after receiving a life-saving heart operation at Monroe Carell, Jr., Children's Hospital in Nashville, Tenn. (Photo/Cpl. Shawn Coolman)

Arizona Republican Senator John McCain visited with Amenah Al'a Thabit, her mother Maha Muhamed Bandar and her father Ala Thabit Fattah during a tour of Haditha City, Iraq March 16. Amenah returned to the city March 7 after receiving life-saving heart surgery at Monroe Carell, Jr., Children's Hospital in Nashville, Tenn. (Photo/Cpl. Shawn Coolman)

Dispatches from the Front:

HADITHA CITY, Iraq, March 18, 2008 -- Presidential candidate and Republican Sen. John McCain of Arizona and a delegation arrived March 16 in Haditha City, Iraq, to view the progress that has been made in the area.

The 3rd Battalion, 23rd Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 5 showcased the vast changes that have occurred in recent times to the delegation.

Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina and top coalition force leadership also accompanied McCain on the visit.

"We wanted to show the (delegation) the progress of the economy, structure improvements and the increased confidence of the people," said Master Sgt. Cortez L. Pree, 37, operation chief, 3rd Bn., 23rd Marines, who is from Texarkana, Ark.

Once the delegation arrived, they were escorted to a meeting with Ma'Moun Sami Rashid, the provincial governor, and other local governmental leaders. The group discussed the improvements that have been made in the area.

They spoke on topics concerning how well the coalition force leadership and Iraqi people are working together and on the continued improvement of the Iraqi government.

"Without our (coalition and Iraqi) commanders, we wouldn't have been able to have such a civilized place in Haditha now," said Rashid.

The delegation then boarded a military convoy and headed to the cities market place. A few years ago Haditha was the site of intense battles between coalition forces and insurgents.

"What we're about to see when we walk through the city streets is going to be simply amazing," said Maj. Gen. John F. Kelly, the commanding general of Multi-National Forces - West, to a member of the delegation.

"A year ago you couldn't come out here," said Graham, who visited Haditha last year. "What a turn around."

As the delegation walked through the cities' streets they spoke with Iraqi citizens about how well their leaders were doing and sampled local products.

"We are big supporters of Governor Ma'Moun," said a local businessman to McCain through an interpreter. "He's the reason why we have security now."

During the delegation's visit, words of acknowledgement were given to the Marines.
To each Marine he met, McCain told them, "Thank you for your service."

As the delegation prepared to depart, the members all commented on the vast improvements to Haditha.

"Everything was very impressive," said McCain.

(Story by Cpl. Shawn Coolman, Regimental Combat Team 5, 1st Marine Division Public Affairs.)

Related Post:
Combat Camera: Senators John McCain and Lindsey Graham Visit Iraq