Senate Confirms Odierno for Fourth Star
KILLEEN, TEXAS,
Jul 11 -
By Amanda Kim Stairrett
Killeen Daily Herald
In a 96-1 vote Thursday, the U.S. Senate confirmed Lt. Gen. Ray Odierno for promotion to general and as the next commander of Multinational Forces-Iraq.
Odierno is set to replace Gen. David Petraeus later this year, but not before receiving his fourth star at Fort Hood, a post spokesman said Thursday.
Odierno said he was honored by the Senate's confirmation vote.
"Iraq has undergone significant change in the last several months and we seek to build on the positive developments," he said in a statement released by the Fort Hood and III Corps Public Affairs Office. "We are also fully aware that continuing to move forward will entail a great deal of work. I have great faith and pride in the extraordinary strengths of our soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines and civilians in Iraq who have served and are serving valiantly. I return to Iraq with optimism and will serve our nation and troops to the utmost of my abilities."
Petraeus also was confirmed to serve as the head of U.S. Central Command – the top commander in the Middle East. His confirmation was approved by a vote of 95-2, according to information from U.S. Rep. John Carter's office.
"I have had the privilege to meet with (Odierno) both in Texas and on the ground in Iraq," Carter, R-Round Rock, said in a statement. "He worked hand in hand with Gen. Petraeus to implement the new counterinsurgency strategy in Iraq. I can tell you that there is no one better qualified to lead our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. We Texans are proud of our new general and look forward to his success."
Odierno's promotion will send him back to Iraq after returning with III Corps Headquarters in mid-February. The general, a former 4th Infantry Division commander, has spent about 31 months in Iraq in the course of two deployments.
It was evident during the confirmation hearings in May that senators respect Odierno, Carter said July 3 during an interview with the Herald.
Odierno and Petraeus are fine officers who are well prepared for their next responsibilities, Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said Thursday on the Senate floor.
"As a nation we are lucky to be able to call upon such men at this critical point in American history," he added.
"What we know is that our strategic interests in the Middle East and Persian Gulf are long-standing and being challenged," McConnell said in his address. "We know that the threat of an Iranian regime bent on securing a nuclear weapon will not end when a new president is sworn in next year. We know that despite the real progress made as a result of the surge of forces into Iraq that the transition of forces, responsibilities and missions must be managed with a steady hand."
Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., questioned Odierno about the force structure in Iraq and the drawdowns that are scheduled to happen in the summer during the confirmation hearings several months ago. He asked Odierno if he would be comfortable with "what we're about to do and how we're going to do it."
"I am, Senator," Odierno said. "I provided recommendations to Gen. Petraeus as the Multinational Corps-Iraq commander. I stand behind those recommendations, which is what is going on right now. So I feel extremely comfortable with what I've continued to see as to the progress we're making over there, that we'll be able to continue with those reductions as planned through the summer."
The two generals face an enormous challenge, said Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev.
"I will be monitoring Petraeus' and Odierno's performance to see if they will provide realistic assessments of the situation on the ground and be open to the smart strategy changes necessary to make America safer," Reid said.
