Fort Carson Unit Helps US Pack Up, Leave Iraq
FORT CARSON, Colo. (AP) - Fort Carson leaders who are deployed to Iraq are preparing for the U.S. exit from that country by the end of the year.
Brig. Gen. Jim Pasquarette tells the Colorado Springs Gazette that the headquarters unit from the 4th Infantry Division is helping with the job of closing down some bases. It's shipping equipment home or turning it over to the Iraqis.
Pasquarette says U.S. personnel are also training Iraqis to take over security once the Americans leave. That includes leading the Iraqis through mock battles with live ammunition.
He says the process will be duplicated at some point in Afghanistan when U.S. forces leave that country.
About 800 soldiers from the 4th Infantry's headquarters unit have been in Iraq since late 2010, overseeing U.S. forces in seven northern provinces.
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
