Defense Secretary Gates Arrives in Iraq

[Hissyspit]

Source: Associated Press

Defense Secretary Gates arrives in Iraq

By ANNE GEARAN, AP National Security Writer – 29 mins ago

TALIL, Iraq – U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates got a firsthand look Tuesday at the future of the U.S. military mission in southern Iraq.

Gates flew from Amman, Jordan, to a command post in southern Iraq where U.S. troops are serving mainly as advisers to Iraqi forces. The advisory unit in Talil is a prototype for U.S. forces as they shift from front-line combat to support roles.

The secretary met with U.S. and Iraqi officers who have patroling together since July 15. And he saw the command center, a room where U.S. and Iraqi commanders meet each morning to go over coordination of patrols.

"What you are doing here is the next phase of our progress in Iraq," Gates told U.S. troops.

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090728/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/us_gates_iraq