The brigade was originally scheduled to be among the last to leave Iraq at the end of 2011 . In a statement released by U.S. Central Command, Gen. Martin Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said that while he is "pleased with our progress in Iraq," there are still many challenges ahead for `` The United States and Iraq have not come to an agreement , '' says one brigade official . U.S. officials in Washington on Saturday declined to comment on reports that troops were being withdrawn ahead of schedule or because of a breakdown in negotiations , except to say the United States is committed to withdrawing all troops by the December 31 deadline . A Pentagon spokesman says talks are still ongoing .
The brigade was originally scheduled to be among the last to leave Iraq at the end of 2011 . In a statement released by U.S. Central Command, Gen. Martin Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said that while he is "pleased with our progress in Iraq," there are still many challenges ahead for `` The United States and Iraq have not come to an agreement , '' says one brigade official . A Pentagon spokesman says talks are still ongoing .