US Marine commander relieved of post in Iraq

AFP ^ | Fri Apr 4,10:11 AM ET

[konijn]

US Marine commander relieved of post in Iraq Fri Apr 4,10:11 AM ET Add Mideast - AFP to My Yahoo!

SOUTH EAST OF BAGHDAD (AFP) - A US commander who was leading a push by Marines through southern Iraq (news - web sites) towards Baghdad was relieved of his post for an undisclosed reason, a US military spokesman told AFP.

AFP Photo

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No reason had been given for the decision to relieve Colonel Joe Dowdy, commander of the Marines First Regimental Combat Team, Public Affairs Officer Steven Schweitzer said on Friday.

"He was responsible for the regiment until three hours ago," Schweitzer said.

Another senior officer, who declined to be named, said a replacement for Dowdy had been announced and that a helicopter had arrived late Friday with orders to ferry Dowdy back to Kuwait.

Dowdy was in command of 5,000 men and women and had led the regiment's advance through southern and central Iraq and on to some 130 kilometres (80 miles) from Baghdad earlier Friday.

[jim35]

You don't suppose he was the one who made the "war on the cheap" crack, do you? Just speculation.

[Liberals are Evil Socialists!]

Was he the guy interviewed last night on TV with an imbed?

[xJones]

I dunno, but that's a hell of a slapdown.

[wideawake]

Insubordinate backtalk during wartime is insubordinate backtalk during wartime.

[JeeperFreeper]

Easy now. It may be a family or medical emergency.

[surfatsixty]

Maybe he's the Reserve Major who ordered two Marines two swim the river across from Nasariya. They were in MOPP gear, without safety lines, and they sank. One was a lifeguard, as I recall. He had a near rebellion on his hands afterwards. If any Marine officer deserves to be removed, he did.

[surfatsixty]

sorry. didn't see the rank.

[shhrubbery!]

Maybe he's the Reserve Major who ordered two Marines two swim the river across from Nasariya. They were in MOPP gear, without safety lines, and they sank. One was a lifeguard, as I recall.

They were ordered to swim it?! Cripes. I remember one was a lifeguard too.

[Michael Barnes]

It could be any number of things that led to the replacement. Time will tell.

[shhrubbery!]

Maybe he's the Reserve Major who ordered two Marines two swim the river across from Nasariya.

A reporter just asked that question at the Pentagon press conference a minute ago. Torie Clark said she "had no information on that." Stanley McChrystal said "It would only be appropriate to let his chain of command discuss that."

[Steven W.]

Was he the guy interviewed last night on TV with an imbed?

None of the ones I saw at Airport (via Sky News) & elsewhere, no.

[Cicero]

Maybe he was caught streaking.

[sonofatpatcher2]

"A US commander who was leading a push by marines through southern Iraq towards Baghdad has been relieved of his post. Do you have any further information?"

"It is my understanding this officer agreed to pose naked with Al Gore and Oprah Winfrey for her 50th birthday."

[MudPuppy]

ouch...

[stylin19a]

This is the moron who gave his name,rank, unit name, position to Bob Arnot on the air, during that skirmish they had on thursday morning.