Mullen Says Obama's Iraq Goal Possible

[unhappycamper]

Mullen Says Obama's Iraq Goal Possible
November 18, 2008
Associated Press

WASHINGTON - The nation's top military officer said Nov. 17 it probably would take two to three years for the United States to safely move its forces and equipment out of Iraq.

However, fulfilling President-elect Barack Obama's campaign promise to get out in 16 months is possible, said Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Mullen told a Pentagon news conference that any withdrawal timetable would depend on numerous factors, including security conditions at the time.

"It's a very significant footprint and very sizable force. But we've been moving in and out of this theater for a long period of time. And we have the capacity and the capability to do it," said Mullen. "But it's not the kind of thing that we could do overnight.... To remove the entire force would be, you know, two to three years, as opposed to something we could do in a very short period of time."

Still, he acknowledged that the incoming administration may demand a more swift exodus. Mullen said he is prepared to give Obama his best military advice and would carry out whatever directions he gets from the next president, after he is inaugurated on Jan. 20.


Rest of article at: http://www.military.com/news/article/mullen-says-obamas-iraq-goal-possible.html?col=1186032310810



uhc comment: Remember the last time we retired from an unwanted occupation? -->

[elocs]

1. I think there will be an orderly withdrawal from Iraq, and not a Vietnam style bugout.

On edit: Wow! You have been one very busy creator of original threads this morning.

[unhappycamper]

2. I have been doing the Army Times, Navy Times, Marine Corps Times, Air Force Times,

Stars and Stripes and military.com daily. It's a drag.