A new Iraqi helicopter at Taji, which is not allowed to fly off base because it lacks essential equipment. Max Becherer/Polaris for The New York TimesIraq Can’t Defend Its Skies by Pullout Date, U.S. Says -- New York Times
BAGHDAD — The Iraqis will be unable to handle their own air defenses after all American troops withdraw from the country by the end of 2011, the top commander of American forces in Iraq said Tuesday.
The commander, Gen. Ray Odierno, in comments to reporters traveling here with Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates, did not directly say that American planes and pilots might effectively have to serve as an Iraqi air force until the Iraqis were ready to defend their country’s airspace on their own. But he said that a United States Air Force team was expected soon in Iraq to assess what the United States could, and should, do.
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My Comment: Yup .... it looks like a few Americans are still going to be in Iraq for a period of time longer that what was predicted. War News Updates predicted that this was going to be the case when the original agreement for U.S. troop withdrawal was made last year. 6 months later .... the New York Times is now up to speed.
My prediction. Expect a U.S. - Iraq agreement next year in which U.S. military personnel will be permitted to stay to train and develop the Iraqi Air Force. Everyone will ignore the numbers that will be involved (about 20,000 to 30,000).