British brief Mullen on Basra transfer

BASRA, Iraq, Dec. 19 (UPI) -- The chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff traveled to Iraq Tuesday to discuss with British commanders the transfer of control of Basra to Iraqis.

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. Michael G. Mullen spoke to British commanders about the new oversight role that the 4,700 British soldiers in the province will undertake from the Basra International Airport. British troop levels are expected to drop to 2,000 soldiers in the spring, the American Forces Press Service reported.

"They have created a whole new strategy and new laydown of forces in recent months," Mullen said in a statement.

Leading the handover strategy has been British Army Maj. Gen. Graham Binns and his unit, who have been deployed to Basra since August. Mullen called the transfer a huge deal that must be handled carefully.

"I wanted to talk to them about how they got to that strategy, how they did it and what the impact has been," Mullen said.

Mullen, while recognizing the unique challenges for any handover, also said the lessons from the British experience in Basra could have practical lessons for coalition forces.

"We've got to be mindful that just because you do it in one place, it doesn't apply directly to the circumstances or same timeline," Mullen said.