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Last US Combat Brigade Leaves Iraq

Military mission ending after 7 years, 5 months

By Nick McMaster, Newser Staff | Suggested by Fondue

Posted Aug 18, 2010 6:40 PM CDT

(Newser) – The US military mission in Iraq is essentially rolling to a close tonight as the last combat brigade rolls across the border into Kuwait, reports the AP. For the record, it's the 4th Stryker Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division. The departure comes 7 years and 5 months after the US invasion. Because another 50,000 troops will remain for a year in a noncombat role, the death toll of 4,415 may yet rise, notes AP.

U.S. Army soldiers race toward the border from Iraq into Kuwait Wednesday. (AP Photo/ Maya Alleruzzo)

U.S. Army soldiers pose with an American flag for a photograph after crossing the border from Iraq into Kuwait. (AP Photo/ Maya Alleruzzo)

A U.S Army soldier dismantles a machine gun mounted on his Stryker armored vehicle immediately after crossing the border from Iraq into Kuwait. (AP Photo/ Maya Alleruzzo)

A U.S. Army soldier waves from his Stryker armored vehicle after crossing the border from Iraq into Kuwait Wednesday, Aug. 18, 2010. (AP Photo/ Maya Alleruzzo)

A column of U.S. Army Stryker armored vehicles cross the border from Iraq into Kuwait Wednesday. (AP Photo/ Maya Alleruzzo)

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Jackie Vanover, from Spanaway, Wash., holds a hand-made message for his family, including his two-month-old daughter, Austin, after crossing the border. (AP Photo/ Maya Alleruzzo)

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Last US Combat Brigade Leaves Iraq

Military mission ending after 7 years, 5 months

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