[mark502inf]

This has been in the works since late fall. Officers started receiving orders to deploy to serve in the new HQ in January and have been doing the nug-work to get it ready for the last few months. Sanchez loves the tactical war-fighting aspects of command, but--in the view of some--has paid insufficient attention to the larger aspects of military ops in Iraq; coordinating ops & responsibilities with U.S., Iraqi, and the coalition forces; and building up the Iraqi military to where it could take over the lion's share of security. By establishing two separate HQ with high-powered commanders with well-defined separation of responsibilities, General Abizaid has provided some focus to each of the two major aspects of military ops in Iraq.

[Cannoneer No. 4]

Sanchez to Be Replaced As Iraq Commander

LTG Sanchez' next assignment will tell the tale. I think his upward mobility has plateaued.