US commander says it would take total failure of Iraqi forces for US to return to combat

US troops to return only if Iraqi forces fail

WASHINGTON — The top American commander in Iraq says it would take a complete failure of the Iraqi security forces for the U.S. to resume combat operations.

Gen. Ray Odierno (oh-dee-EHR’-noh) says officials don’t see that happening because Iraqi forces have been doing “so well for so long.”

Odierno says U.S. involvement in Iraq beyond the end of 2011 would probably involve assisting Iraqis with equipment, training and technical capabilities to help secure their borders.

Odierno made the comments in interviews with CBS’ “Face the Nation” and CNN’s “State of the Union” that aired Sunday.