WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. Bob Etheridge (D-Lillington) departed Andrews Air Force Base yesterday on a military plane to Iraq.
Etheridge will visit with troops from North Carolina. He will also meet with the new Iraqi Prime Minister and Iraqi special forces to assess their readiness to take over peacekeeping duties in Iraq. Etheridge visited Iraq in 2004 as well.
“Our troops have now been in Iraq for more than three years and many are on their second and third tour. In order to bring our troops home, we must ensure that the Iraqi people are ready to protect themselves. I look forward to seeing first hand the status of the Iraqi Special Forces training and preparation.”