Austin: Troops set for Iraq elections

Austin: Troops set for Iraq elections
The Associated Press
Posted : Tuesday Jan 27, 2009 16:56:55 EST

FORT BRAGG, N.C. — The commander of the North Carolina-based 18th Airborne Corps says his troops have been preparing for Iraq’s provincial elections this weekend.

The Fayetteville Observer reported Tuesday that Lt. Gen. Lloyd J. Austin III said during a teleconference that he is confident of security preparations for the Saturday voting.

Austin took command of the Multi-National Corps-Iraq on Feb. 14. He commands about 140,000 troops in Iraq.

The general said Iraqis will provide security for the elections and his troops will be in a support role. Iraqis will choose ruling councils Saturday in most of the country’s provinces.

About 4,300 soldiers from Fort Bragg are in Iraq from Austin’s staff, a medical unit and a brigade from the 82nd Airborne Division.


Article at: http://armytimes.com/news/2009/01/ap_austin_iraq_012709w/%2e