Troops tune in to swearing-in, speech

WASHINGTON, Jan. 20 (UPI) -- U.S. troops stationed abroad watched the inauguration of Barack Obama as the 44th U.S. president on television, officials said.

Televisions on operating bases were made available so troops could view the inauguration Tuesday, Army spokesman Paul Boyce told USA Today.

The swearing-in took place at 8 p.m. local time in Iraq and 9:30 p.m. local time in Afghanistan.

Once the pomp and circumstance of Tuesday passed, troops say they'll listen closely to what Obama has to say about the war in Iraq and his pledge to withdraw combat troops within 16 months of taking office.

"I think it is going to be hard to do it in 16 months, but we'll see," 1st Lt. Angel Richardson, stationed at Camp Liberty, Iraq, told USA Today. "Once he sees the situation on the ground, all things could change."

Obama's spokesman Robert Gibbs says Obama and Vice President-elect Joe Biden wanted input from military commanders concerning the drawdown.

"I wouldn't mind if this is my last time I came to Iraq," said Cpl. Michael Ferrell, in his second tour in Iraq. "I wouldn't say whether or not we can get things done in 16 months, but I'll be interested in hearing what the president has to say."