SAN DIEGO -- Miramar's commanding general said San Diego-based Marines will probably be involved in Iraq for years, 10News reported.

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Even as both sides continue to talk, Marines in Fallujah continue to come under fire.

According to Maj. Gen. Jon Gallinetti, (pictured, left), Marines knew it would be difficult going to Iraq.

"We have been training and expecting something like this but not to this extent," Gallinetti told 10News.

Trying to complete a humanitarian mission while also enduring combat is a difficult balancing act, according to 10News.

The reality, aside from the cost of war, according to Gallinetti, is that Marines will have to be in Iraq for about five years.

Gallinetti drew a parallel to post-war Germany and Japan, where American forces spent years helping them recover from World War II.

"After World War II in Germany, U.S. forces were there for over six years after the war and they were in Japan for over five years after the war. That was required to provide a stable, secure environment for them to establish their governments and to allow the country to get back on its feet. I expect something similar in Iraq," Gallinetti said.

Gallinetti spent seven months in Iraq. During his deployment, Gallinetti said he came to believe an overwhelming majority of Iraqis support the coalition effort toward a Democratic society.

"They do see us as occupiers and want to see us gone. But for the foreseeable future they want us there to provide security and democratic elections and a stable environment -- we'll eventually get there," Gallinetti said.

Gallinetti does not have any doubt that security will eventually come to Iraq, but he also expects more problems as the run up to Iraq's sovereignty, on July 1, gets closer.