Dempsey Says New US Military Base in Iraq Could Be Model

Joint Chief Chairman Gen. Martin Dempsey testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, March 11, 2015, before the Senate Foreign Relation Committee. Three of America's top national security officials face questions on Capitol Hill about new war powers being drafted to fight Islamic State militants, Iran's sphere of influence and hotspots across the Mideast. AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais

NAPLES, Italy— The Pentagon’s top general says the new U.S. military base being setting up in Iraq’s western desert could be a model for more such U.S. hubs if Iraq is able to regain momentum against the Islamic State group.

Gen. Martin Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, made the comment Thursday in an interview with reporters traveling with him in Italy.

Dempsey said it will take several weeks to establish the base announced Wednesday by the White House. That one will be at an Iraqi air base in Anbar province.

Dempsey said another could eventually be established in north-central Iraq if and when the Iraqi army is ready to organize a counteroffensive in Mosul, which has been in Islamic State hands for 12 months.