Commander in Iraq Is Reported to Re-Up for Another Tour

[Rose Siding]

Gen. George W. Casey Jr. is extending his assignment as the top allied commander in Iraq by at least six months, senior Pentagon and military officials said Saturday. The move will ensure that the current American military-diplomatic team there remains in place into 2007.

After serving in one of the military's most arduous jobs since July 2004, General Casey had been expected to transfer to a new assignment this summer as part of the Army's regular rotation of top officers.

But at the request of President Bush and Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld, General Casey has agreed to stay on at his fortified headquarters in Baghdad. One senior military officer said General Casey would remain until the end of this year. But a senior Pentagon official said he would probably stay another full year, until mid-2007.

General Casey will continue to oversee the American military's role in assisting the formation of Iraq's newly elected government and in training Iraqi soldiers and police officers to take greater responsibility for securing their country.

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/01/15/politics/15military.html?ex=1294981200&en=75766a8104613fae&ei=5090&partner=rssuserland&emc=rss

Heckuva job!

[Maggie_May]

1. 2007 all I can say is 2007

Bring our Troops home.