President Barack Obama told KIRO 7’s Angela Russell on Tuesday that the crash of two military helicopters at Joint Base Lewis McChord on Monday was a reminder of the dangers U.S. military personnel face.

“First of all, heartfelt condolences from Michelle and myself,” Obama said. “We can only imagine the heartache that is going through those families.

“It’s a good reminder of the enormous sacrifices that our troops and their families make, even when they’re not in theater,” the president added.

Those sacrifices are always on the minds of local military families. One Army wife, happy to have her husband back from Iraq, wanted to be sure her husband would never have to go back. Russell addressed that woman’s question to the president during the interview:

Russell: “The wife of a soldier wanted me to ask you, Mr. President – give it to me straight; no politics – what’s really going on in Iraq? How do you answer her fears her husband will have to go back to Iraq someday?”

Obama: “Well, I do not expect any of our soldiers to have to go back to Iraq.”

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The president insisted that times will not get tough enough to send American troops back into battle.

“It’s important to have a security partnership with Iraq, but it’s not going to be with our folks based inside of Iraq,” Obama said.

Part 2: Obama: Washington state budget crisis is a 'huge problem'

http://www.kirotv.com/news/news/obama-washington-state-budget-crisis-huge-problem/nF2c7/