This is a War!

Why are the ongoing daily battles in Iraq not being considered a War by this nations government? Why are these men and women not getting combat pay?

Maybe I misunderstand the meaning of the term "War", so what better to do than type it in google and get a definition...result "the waging of armed conflict against an enemy".

So by definition we are in a War and I feel these guys need to be getting the extra money in their paychecks! Some say the war is over and we are just policing and helping them politically. Well from the conversations I have had with my brother who is serving in Iraq at this very moment (well technically he just arrived in Germany after being hit by an IED and is having surgery to remove some shrapnel from his neck and leg.) Apparently the insurgents didn't get the memo stating that they lost the War. My brother for instance has taken part in daily and nightly raides of homes...is that just policing also?