PLATTSBURGH -- Speaking from Kuwait, U.S. Rep. John McHugh said his ninth trip to Iraq showed many positive developments.

McHugh (R-Pierpont Manor) was in Iraq for about 48 hours earlier this week.

"What I did see on this trip "¦ was the strongest sign of progress so far," he said via conference call Thursday afternoon.

This trip afforded him the opportunity to see Iraqi forces conduct live weapons training. He said their U.S. trainers told him the Iraqis are some of the best special-operations soldiers in the Middle East.

Iraq has 156 army-combat battalions, he said, with 113 in lead military roles. That's as it should be, because they can more effectively communicate with the Iraqi people.

Of Iraq's 18 provinces, he said 13 have Iraqi forces in the lead military role. That number is expected to grow to 14 by the end of next week when they assume the lead role in al-Anbar province, at one time considered the home ground of al-Qaida in Iraq.

The last time he visited that province, vehicle traffic was still not allowed. This time, even though check points were still in place, automobile traffic was everywhere.

Markets and stores were open, and there was a vibrant feel to the region, which McHugh said shows the people feel security has returned.

U.S. and coalition forces are working to get all factions, including Sunnis, Shiites, Turkmens and Kurds, to think of themselves as Iraqis first. The tribal nature of life in Iraq makes that difficult, he said.

McHugh had a two-hour conversation with Gen. David Patreus, the author of the surge. The additional troops have helped coalition forces hold territory but also engage the Iraqi people in subtler ways to help turn the tide.

That has resulted in reductions in the number of violent acts across the theater of war, he said.

For the troops he met, morale is high. Re-enlistment rates remain steady, including 1,000 who re-enlisted July 4, and the army is meeting its recruiting and retention goals.

While the troops are following the election, they are more concerned with the sentiments of people in the United States.

"They want to know what kind of support the American people are giving them," McHugh said.

Even though the progress is reason for optimism, caution should be maintained. There are a lot of players that could change the course of the war, such as Iran and Iraq's Muqtada al-Sadr, the anti-American cleric and leader of the 60,000-member Mahdi Army.