BALAD AIR BASE, Iraq, March 18 (UPI) -- U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney told troops Tuesday at Balad Air Base in Iraq that their work was inspirational, appreciated and never taken for granted.

Cheney noted five years ago this week "we led a coalition to liberate this country from tyranny," promising the United States would stand by the Iraqis as "they built free institutions and took charge of their own destiny once again."

Balad, one of the largest U.S. bases in Iraq, is the main staging area for logistical operations.

"I want you to know that we appreciate you and your comrades, that we never take you for granted, that we're inspired by the tremendous work you've done on this deployment," Cheney told the troops. "We've given you a lot of work to do and at often times a very small amount of time in which to do it."

Last year's surge in combat troops has yielded results, he said, in more effective raids to flush out extremists, better intelligence from local citizens and higher hopes for the future.

"(The) more that Iraqis have gotten to know Americans ... the better they've felt about the United States of America," Cheney said.