As U.S.-led coalition air strikes hit Islamic State targets in Iraq, the top U.S. military officer says the momentum against the militants is starting to turn.<br/> <br />General Martin Dempsey arrived in Iraq Saturday to meet with both Iraqi officials and U.S. commanders.<br/> <br />During a meeting with Iraq's Chief of Staff General Babakir Zebari, Dempsey affirmed U.S. commitment to more air support and training for the Iraqi forces.<br/> <br />Dempsey said it was crucial to show that IS was not an unstoppable force, but, quote, "a bunch of midgets running around with a really radical ideology."<br/> <br />Still, he says the mission to root out the militants, who remain in control of swathes of territory in Iraq and Syria, will take time -- several years, he said.<br/> <br />It was Dempsey's first visit to Iraq since U.S. President Barack Obama this summer ordered air strikes and troops back into a country they left in 2011.
