A high-ranking U.S. Army official who visited Fort Lewis second Stryker brigade said the troops are ready for their October deployment to Iraq.
Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Richard Cody told soldiers during a Monday visit that its not certain yet how restructuring changes announced by President Bush would affect the local post.
Some of the troops returning from Europe and Asia could be relocated to Fort Lewis, he said, but reiterated it was premature to know how the changes will affect units.
The second Stryker unit is rounding up training before deploying to replace current Stryker soldiers who have been in Iraq since November.
Im very, very impressed in what Im seeing with this second Stryker brigade, Cody was quoted as saying Tuesday. Theyre absolutely combat ready.
He addressed the troops after watching a 45-minute live exercise.
Cody is the fourth high-ranking official to visit the post in the last year, including President Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney.
