Iraq command changes come at delicate time

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Army Lt. Gen. Raymond T. Odierno, shown speaking at the National Press Club earlier this year, is due to leave Iraq in February. He will be replaced by Lt. Gen. Lloyd J. Austin III, commander of 18th Airborne Corps.


Iraq command changes come at delicate time
By Robert Burns - The Associated Press
Posted : Tuesday Dec 11, 2007 18:20:27 EST

WASHINGTON — The U.S. military in Iraq is undergoing its biggest changeover in senior commanders since Gen. David Petraeus launched a new counterinsurgency strategy nearly a year ago.

The high-level shifts come at a particularly delicate stage in the war as U.S. troop levels begin to decline, Iraqis are handed more security responsibility and Petraeus seeks to ensure that the gains achieved over the past several months continue.

The leadership changes are likely to be disruptive, at least for a brief period, as the new set of commanders — even those with Iraq experience — adjust to rapidly changing conditions.

Even so, with the studied approach the Army and Marine Corps take to rotating units and commanders — keeping the leaders informed daily of developments in Iraq, months in advance of their deployment — it is unlikely that the switches will result in changes to Petraeus’ strategy.

With the exception of Petraeus, senior commanders generally arrive and depart with their units, which means most of those now leaving or preparing to leave have been there for up to 15 months.


Rest of article at: http://www.armytimes.com/news/2007/12/ap_iraqwarcommanders_071211/