Tour Lengths Remain Untouched

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Tour Lengths Remain Untouched
American Forces Press Service | January 25, 2008

WASHINGTON - The Multinational Force Iraq commander will stay where he is for the time being, and no decision has been made to shorten tour lengths for Army personnel in the U.S. Central Command area of operations, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said during a Pentagon news conference today.

President Bush wants Army Gen. David H. Petraeus to stay "right where he is at least through late fall and maybe the end of the year," Gates said.

The secretary's statement puts to rest media speculation that Petraeus would move to another four-star command.

The secretary also addressed media reports that a decision to shorten Army tour lengths is imminent. "There has been discussion of the possibility of changing the Army rotation from the current 15 months," Gates said. "I will make no decision changing the duration of these tours until General Petraeus, (U.S. Central Command chief Navy) Admiral (William J.) Fallon and the Joint Chiefs of Staff make their recommendations to the president and the president makes his decision."

Gates and Navy Adm. Michael G. Mullen, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said the recent increase in attacks in Iraq reinforces their contention that there is still a lot of work to be done in the country. Gates said there will be tough days and weeks ahead.


Rest of article at: http://www.military.com/features/0,15240,160747,00.html