"
Mission Accomplished," refers to a banner led "Mission Accomplished" that was displayed on the aircraft carrier
USS Abraham Lincoln during a televised address by
United States President George W. Bush on May 1, 2003 and the controversy that followed.
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. The vast majority of casualties, among both coalition (approximately 98% as of October 2008) and Iraqi combatants, and among Iraqi civilians, has occurred since the speech.
"Mission accomplished" is a phrase that has long been associated with completing a mission. In recent years, it has been particularly associated with this event
The banner stating "Mission Accomplished" was a focal point of controversy and criticism. Navy Commander and Pentagon spokesman Conrad Chun said the banner referred specifically to the aircraft carrier's 10-month deployment (which was the longest deployment of a carrier since the Vietnam War) and not the war itself, saying
"It truly did signify a mission accomplished for the crew"
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mission_Accomplished