| Australian military officials on Friday appointed a former schoolteacher turned pilot to lead the country's troops in Iraq. Air Commodore Greg Evans - who left teaching to join the air force 22 years ago - will replace Brig. Peter Hutchison, who has led the Australian contingent since May this year. Defense Minister Robert Hill said Evans would lead troops helping coalition forces stabilize Iraq in preparation for Jan. 30 elections. "Air Commodore Evans assumes command at a critical stage of the rebuilding of Iraq, particularly as it prepares for the first democratically held elections in decades, an event that will stand as a pivotal moment in Iraq's history," Senator Hill said in a statement. |