iraq. reporter: that s right on sunday there was a major attack in central baghdad on a base there. there were 12 iraqis killed, 36 wounded, and two u.s. service members had to actually come to the rescues of the iraqis. the iraqis shot dead four of the eye tackers. it s very clear u.s. troops are standing by at the ready with their weapons. the idea that all of the troops are home, a lot of the troops that we ve spoken to, in fact 50,000 are still left there. they are getting letters from home saying when are you coming home, and combat operation must be over but it s obviously still just as deadly for the 50,000 troops over there, jon. jon: nobody thinks u.s. troops if they are attacked will not be able to defend themselves. is this an exercise in semantics perhaps in time for midterm elections. reporter: it obviously is. they ve changed the names in only the way that the pentagon can do it from brigade combat teams to advise and assist