Despite challenges in Iraq, returning general confident U.S. will maintain withdrawal schedule

JOINT BASE LEWIS-McCHORD — The military is expected to reduce its military presence in Iraq from about 95,000 troops to 50,000 by the end of summer.

But that big reduction is unlikely to yield any short-term relief from the intense pace of combat deployments, said Lt. Gen. Charles Jacoby, a senior Army commander who has just returned from a year spent in a key leadership position in Iraq.

"We're not there yet, but you can see it on the horizon," Jacoby said Thursday.

He estimated that in two years it may be possible to reduce the 12-month length of combat deployments and try to give soldiers at least two years between these overseas missions.

Combat and support units from Joint Base Lewis-McChord have repeatedly cycled through Iraq and Afghanistan during the post-9/11 period.

Jacoby spoke to reporters on the seventh anniversary of the U.S. bombing of Baghdad, which started the Bush administration's war to oust former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein.

During his year in Iraq, Jacoby commanded I Corps, which oversaw headquarter operations for the U.S. military. I Corps' other responsibilities included directing the ground and air campaigns, and dealing with the logistical challenges of troop and equipment withdrawals.

During this period, U.S. combat troops withdrew from Iraqi cities and ceded security duties to Iraq forces during the March 7 national election.

"The security for Election Day was essentially an Iraqi show," Jacoby said. "They provided security for thousands of polling sites across the entire country, which allowed for a huge voter turnout. ... and a turnout across all sectarian lines."

Jacoby said Iraq still faces plenty of challenges in the years ahead, including Iran continuing to provide training for terrorist networks operating in Iraq.

The recent elections could create a political crisis. As of Thursday, Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki's coalition was leading in a tight race over former Prime Minister Ayad Allawi, a secular Shiite.

The vote count has been chaotic, leading to fraud allegations as the results are slowly tallied.

But Jacoby is hopeful the current U.S. troop withdrawal timetable calling for the removal of all combat forces by December 2011 can be maintained.

What happens after 2011 will be up to the new Iraqi government to negotiate with the United States.

Jacoby arrived at the old Fort Lewis in June 2007, and organized the I Corps headquarters staff for its first overseas deployment in support of combat operations since the Korean War. I Corps will be undergoing staff changes in the months head and is expected to prepare for another combat deployment.

Jacoby was recently nominated to work on strategic planning and policy at the Pentagon. If confirmed by the Senate, Jacoby will move to Washington, D.C., in the next few months.

Hal Bernton: 206-464-2581 or hbernton@seattletimes.com