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Slow, steady Iraq withdrawal anticipated

WASHINGTON - As security conditions improve in Iraq, the United States should be able to reduce forces at a slow but consistent pace beyond this summer, but air support and ground troops likely will be needed for five to 10 years, a top military commander said Thursday.

Army Lt. Gen. Ray Odierno, the No. 2 commander in Iraq, also said he believes Iraqi forces will be able to take over security in their country much quicker than they have suggested.

"What we don't want to do is suddenly pull out a whole bunch of U.S. forces and suddenly turn things over to ... the Iraqi security forces," Odierno said.

Odierno, Defense Secretary Robert Gates and other military leaders have been loath to predict troop reductions beyond this summer, when the number of U.S. brigades in Iraq will drop to 15.

Odierno said he wants to see the effects of the reduction of forces now under way. "We're now at 19 brigades - going to 18, 17, 16, 15. I feel comfortable that we'll be able to maintain the security, but I would like to make sure that that works," he said.

Also Thursday

Violence: A suicide bomber struck Shiites as worshipers prepared for their most important holiday, killing at least 11 at a mosque in Diyala province.

Security: Iraqi officials stepped up security to protect Shiite processions for the holiday period, which culminates in events known as Ashoura.

Military: The U.S. military announced a second major wave of airstrikes in a week against al-Qaida in Iraq positions southeast of Baghdad.

WASHINGTON 

Some concussions going untreated

As many as 20 percent of U.S. troops leave war with signs they may have had a concussion, and some do not realize they need treatment, Army officials said Thursday.

Concussion is a common term for mild traumatic brain injury, or TBI. While the Army has a handle on treating more severe brain injuries, it is "challenged to understand, diagnose and treat military personnel who suffer with mild TBI," said Brig. Gen. Donald Bradshaw, chairman of an Army task force on TBI.

All troops brought to military treatment facilities from a war zone are screened for TBI, but troops lacking more outward signs such as bleeding after a blast might not realize they experienced a concussion.

[Last modified January 18, 2008, 01:40:56]