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Major General Jeffery Hammond and Brigadier General Mike Milano addressed the media from Baghdad Thursday.
They gave an update on their infantry's mission. The 4th ID has been deployed for over four months in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
During that time, the troops have provided security, patrolled Baghdad's neighborhoods, and have helped rebuild Iraq's crumbling infrastructure.
"We continue to press on hard here in Baghdad, we have made a lot of progress, I consider the glass half full," Major General Hammond said.
He said when his troops entered the battle some 100 days ago, security was the hallmark of Coalition Forces. Now, he and Brigadier General Milano said sustainable security is the key to success.
"Of course the sons and daughters of Iraq are helping, we now have around 159 women, and they are very much a part of the improved security here," Brigadier General Mike Milano said.
Major General Hammond said since their deployment, his soldiers have detained 246 Al Qaeda operatives and detained or killed over 245 Shiite extremists.
"I believe they have been degraded, we continue to PacMan, like the video game, away at their efforts, at their different levels," Major General Hammond said.
He said the Shiite extremists are still a viable threat to Coalition Forces.
As for Iraq's crumbling infrastructure, Brigadier General Mike Milano said improvements are being made slowly, but surely.
"We are dealing with 25 years or so of gross neglect of their infrastructure, water, sewer, and electricity has not been maintained," Brigadier General Milano said.
He said they are working to establish a community based worker's program.
