Gates: AF trainers could stay in Iraq past 2011

[unhappycamper]

Gates: AF trainers could stay in Iraq past 2011
Staff report
Posted : Monday Dec 14, 2009 11:07:56 EST

Defense Secretary Robert Gates said Friday that Air Force advisers will probably stay in Iraq after the end of 2011, when U.S. troops are scheduled to leave the country.

Gates was answering questions at Kirkuk Regional Air Base, Iraq, after speaking to service members. He was asked about the future of the Air Force’s mission to advise and assist the Iraqi air force.

“I had this same conversation with some of our folks a couple of days ago in Kabul who are advising the new Afghan air force,” Gates responded, according to an Air Force press release. “I think in both countries, that kind of a role is very likely to continue beyond the end of our combat operations.”

More than half of the 120,000 U.S. troops in Iraq are scheduled to leave the country next year, with the remainder out by the end of 2011.


Article at: http://www.airforcetimes.com/news/2009/12/airforce_gates_trainers_121409w/