Best Defense

Thomas E. Ricks' daily take on national security.

Gen. Pittard gets popped over contracts

I am sorry to see this. I first met him when I was doing some reporting at Fort Lewis back in the olden days. In Iraq in 2004, I was embedded with his brigade, outside Najaf, Iraq, and again was impressed by him.

BAGHDAD, IRAQ ? DECEMBER 17:  U.S army BG Dana J.H. Pittard, Commanding General of the Iraq Assistance Group (IAG), looks on during a press conference with U.S army BG Terry A. Wolff, Commanding General of the Coalition Military Assistance Training Team (CMATT) December 17, 2006 at the heavily fortified Green Zone area in Baghdad, Iraq. Embedding of  Transition Teams with Iraqi security forces (ISF) units and training of ISF were discussed during the conference.  (Photo by Muhannad Fala'ah/Getty Images)
BAGHDAD, IRAQ ? DECEMBER 17: U.S army BG Dana J.H. Pittard, Commanding General of the Iraq Assistance Group (IAG), looks on during a press conference with U.S army BG Terry A. Wolff, Commanding General of the Coalition Military Assistance Training Team (CMATT) December 17, 2006 at the heavily fortified Green Zone area in Baghdad, Iraq. Embedding of Transition Teams with Iraqi security forces (ISF) units and training of ISF were discussed during the conference. (Photo by Muhannad Fala'ah/Getty Images)
BAGHDAD, IRAQ ? DECEMBER 17: U.S army BG Dana J.H. Pittard, Commanding General of the Iraq Assistance Group (IAG), looks on during a press conference with U.S army BG Terry A. Wolff, Commanding General of the Coalition Military Assistance Training Team (CMATT) December 17, 2006 at the heavily fortified Green Zone area in Baghdad, Iraq. Embedding of Transition Teams with Iraqi security forces (ISF) units and training of ISF were discussed during the conference. (Photo by Muhannad Fala'ah/Getty Images)

I am sorry to see this. I first met him when I was doing some reporting at Fort Lewis back in the olden days. In Iraq in 2004, I was embedded with his brigade, outside Najaf, Iraq, and again was impressed by him.

I am sorry to see this. I first met him when I was doing some reporting at Fort Lewis back in the olden days. In Iraq in 2004, I was embedded with his brigade, outside Najaf, Iraq, and again was impressed by him.

Still, as little grasshoppers know, I am all for accountability in dealing with generals — especially on how they execute their duties.

Muhannad Fala’ah/Getty Images

Thomas E. Ricks covered the U.S. military from 1991 to 2008 for the Wall Street Journal and then the Washington Post. He can be reached at ricksblogcomment@gmail.com. Twitter: @tomricks1

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