Iraq forces take over from last U.S. combat brigade

[SecularMotion]

Source: Reuters

The United States handed over control of all combat duties to Iraqi security forces on Saturday in a further sign its withdrawal is on track despite a political impasse in Iraq and a recent rise in violence.

President Barack Obama said last Monday he would stick to his promise to end U.S. combat operations in Iraq by August 31, with security being left in the hands of Iraq's own U.S.-trained army and police.

"Today is an extremely important day as we continue to progress toward turning over full responsibility to the Iraqi security forces," General Raymond Odierno, top commander of U.S. forces in Iraq, told reporters after a departure ceremony for the last U.S. combat brigade.

Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE6760WK20100807?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+reuters%2FtopNews+%28News+%2F+US+%2F+Top+News%29

[dipsydoodle]

1. Don't talk rubbish

They've just been retitled “advisory and assistance brigades” .

http://www.politicaltheatrics.net/2010/08/no-the-combat-troops-are-not-all-leaving-iraq/

[SecularMotion]

2. Thanks for the link

[dipsydoodle]

3. btw

what I wrote wasn't personally directed at you. :hi:

[pscot]

4. Proconsular Support Group

n/t

[Soylent Brice]

5. nice catch.

Thanks for the link.

[No Elephants]

6. Advisors What were U.S. troops in Vietnam officially called from 1950-1965, Alex?

"The United States entered the war to prevent a communist takeover of South Vietnam as part of their wider strategy of containment. Military advisors arrived beginning in 1950. U.S. involvement escalated in the early 1960s, with U.S. troop levels tripling in 1961 and tripling again in 1962.<19> U.S. combat units were deployed beginning in 1965."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vietnam_War

Apparently, advising can be just as fatal to civilians and troops as can combatting. Go figure.

[formercia]

7. One of my High school classmates, a Marine, was killed in 1963

So much for advisors.

He was only in country six weeks.