U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates arrived Tuesday in southern Iraq to get a firsthand look at the future of the U.S. military mission in Iraq. Gates flew from Amman, Jordan, to a command post in southern Iraq where U.S. troops are serving mainly as advisers to Iraqi forces. The advisory unit in Talil is a prototype for U.S. forces as they shift from front-line combat to support roles, the Associated Press reported. While in Iraq, Gates will be meeting with political leaders, including Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki. Last week, al-Maliki met in Washington with President Barack Obama, Vice President Joe Biden, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and senior lawmakers. Gates is also expected to visit Iraq's Kurdish region.
