FORT RILEY, Kan., Oct. 25 (UPI) -- The U.S. Army has begun training midlevel officers to be military advisers to Iraqi forces at a facility in Kansas.
Army officials said Fort Riley, Kan., is expected to yield about 2,000 trained advisers every two months in 2007, The Los Angeles Times reported Wednesday.
The newly trained advisers are expected to join the 3,600 currently on the ground training, organizing and accompanying Iraqi forces.
Officials said the program will eventually be expanded to include advisers for Afghanistan.
The Times said the movie could be a sign that U.S. commanders in Iraq are looking to shift tactics in the midst of rising U.S. casualties and a weakening Baghdad offensive. The newspaper said advisers are likely to play an important role in any withdrawal of U.S. troops from the country.
Gen. Richard Cody, the Army's vice chief of staff, said the mission puts "added strain on the force" by pulling thousands of soldiers out of normal combat duties to be trained and serve as advisers. He said that as a result, some junior officers are being allowed to fill more senior positions.
