Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom were the first major wars of the 21st century. They will not be the last. They have significantly impacted how the U.S. Government and military think about prosecuting wars. They will have a generational impact on the U.S. military, as its future leaders, particularly those in the ground forces, will for decades be men and women who served in Iraq and Afghanistan. It is imperative that leaders at all levels, both military and civilian, share their experiences to ensure that we, as a military and as a country, gain appropriate insights for the future. When General George W. Casey, Jr., was the Army chief of staff, he encouraged leaders at the war colleges, staff colleges, and advanced courses to write about what they did in Iraq and Afghanistan so that others could be better prepared when they faced similar challenges. This book is General Casey's effort to follow his own advice, offering narratives and insights about his tenure as commander of Multi-National Force-Iraq so that future leaders can be better prepared for the next conflict.

"October 2012."

Preparing for the mission (May-June 2004) -- Framing the mission -- Building a key relationship -- Consultations and direction -- Direct insights -- Confirmation -- Establishing the mission and preparing for the first elections (July 2004-January 2005) -- Organizing for success -- Military operations -- Election planning and preparation -- Looking beyond the elections -- The first elections: January 30, 2005 -- Completing the UN timeline and setting conditions for a new Iraq (January-December 2005) -- Adapting in transition -- Building a transition concept -- Changing our mindset -- Keeping Washington up to date -- Completing the UN timeline -- Military operations -- Planning for the future -- Government transition and the rise of sectarian violence (January-June 2006) -- Government transition -- The Samarra bombing and its aftermath -- Assessing the impact -- Charting a way forward -- Building new partnerships -- Camp David and June D.C. consultations -- The toughest days (July 2006-February 2007) -- Adjusting the plan -- Canceling the "off-ramp" -- Looking ahead -- Civil-military relations -- Military operations in Baghdad -- Washington policy review -- Insights for leaders -- Developing vision and strategy -- Creating unity of effort -- Continuous assessment and adaption -- Influencing organizational culture -- Civil-military interaction -- Political-military integration -- Momentum and transitions -- Sustaining yourself -- Appendices -- Abbreviations -- The coalition, July 2004 -- Leadership in Iraq, 2004-2007 -- Iraqi security forces progression, 2004-2007 -- Operation Iraqi Freedom chronology, 2004-2007.