US defense secretary makes surprise visit to Iraq

US Defense Secretary Robert Gates arrived on a surprise visit to Iraq early Wednesday, as the US Army officially ended its combat mission there, an AFP journalist said.

By Space War Editorial Team · Editorial process

Published June 25, 2026

US Defense Secretary Robert Gates arrived on a surprise visit to Iraq early Wednesday, as the US Army officially ended its combat mission there, an AFP journalist said.

Gates was scheduled to attend the change of command ceremony for the head of US forces in Iraq. General Ray Odierno, the top US commander in Iraq since taking over from General David Petraeus in 2008 is stepping down to be replaced by Lieutenant General Lloyd Austin.

President Barack Obama late Tuesday officially announced the end of the US combat mission in Iraq. US forces are now down to less than 50,000 with only an advisory and training mission left.

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The Space War Editorial Team produces content across our two editorial pillars: space industry news and Mind & Meaning. We cover launches, missions, satellites, defense, and the technology of getting humans to space, alongside the psychology of ambition, isolation, and meaning under extremes. Articles reflect our team's collective editorial process, source verification, drafting, technical review, and editing, rather than a single writer's work. Space War takes editorial responsibility for content under this byline. For more on how we work, see our editorial policy.