In the last year alone, there have been a total of 77 air strikes split evenly between the northern and southern no-fly zones. That's more than six every month. Clearly, Iraq has been probing the resolve of the new administration. Since President George W. Bush was sworn into office, the United States has responded with force 10 times to Iraqi targeting or attacks, including twice in one day on Jan. 28. The latest, on Feb. 22, involved raids against Iraqi radar sites around the northern city of Mosul, according to the U.S. European Command, which manages the northern no-fly zone.
Many troops say they're frustrated.
For others, it's been the hollowness of that victory in the 10 years since. Over and over again, it seems, Saddam has yanked a chain, and over and over again, the United States has jumped. Sure we've had the Spool Exes, but the training here is better than anywhere else in the world. Even this latest round of tension does little to faze the troops here. Daniel Gilbert, a mechanic with the 1st Cavalry Division contingent here, talking about the strikes last week.