Petraeus to hand US Iraq command on Sept 16

[cal04]

Source: Reuters

U.S. General David Petraeus, credited with helping staunch violence in Iraq, will hand over command of U.S. forces there to Lieutenant-General Raymond Odierno on Sept. 16, a military spokesman said on Sunday.

Petraeus will relinquish command of the approximately 146,000 U.S. troops in Iraq after 19 months on the job to become head of Central Command, the U.S. military headquarters responsible for a vast region from Kenya to Kazakhstan.

Odierno most recently served as the number 2 U.S. commander in Iraq, finishing that assignment earlier this year. He will be promoted to full general as he takes over the Iraq command on Sept. 16, said Colonel Steven Boylan, spokesman for Petraeus.

(snip)
Pentagon sources said last week they are recommending the withdrawal of one combat brigade, 3,000 to 5,000 soldiers, in early 2009, reflecting both improving conditions in Iraq and growing needs in Afghanistan.

Read more: http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L7508947.htm

[ohio2007]

1. Congress expected to give the usual rubber stamp seal of approval nt

[Oregone]

2. General Odierno, or General Bodierno?

Hmm...not much of a ring to that.