Mission Accomplished was a banner that was displayed by the Navy to congratulate the Aircraft Carrier's 10 month deployment, longest since the Vietnam War.Bush stated at the time that this was the end to major combat operations in Iraq. While this statement did coincide with an end to the conventional phase of the war, Bush's assertion — and the sign itself — became controversial after guerilla warfare in Iraq increased during the Iraqi insurgency.

Fema did the job it legally was responsible for. Time and reflection has put the slow response on the incompetence of the local government.