Top U.S. general says training effort in Iraq will last 'three years minimum'

http://www.armytimes.com/story/military/pentagon/2014/12/18/top-us-general-s
ays-training-effort-in-iraq-will-last-three-years-minimum/20588619/

The top U.S. commander overseeing the military mission in Iraq said a
"minimum of three years" will be required until the Iraqis are capable of
taking back and securing their country from Islamic extremists.

Army Lt. Gen. James Terry said hundreds of additional U.S. troops will flow
into Iraq over the next several weeks to begin training Iraqi soldiers in
basic combat skills. Long-term U.S. support will be needed before the
Iraqis' can begin to mount decisive attacks and retake lost ground, he said.