Governor Carcieri made an unannounced departure to Iraq as part of a three-governor delegation, according to a statement released by his office today.

According to the statement, Carcieri arrived in Iraq, via Kuwait, yesterday with Governors Bill Ritter (D-CO) and Michael Rounds (R-SD) on a trip arranged by the Department of Defense.

The governors were briefed by Gen. David H. Petraeus, commander of the Multi-National Force Iraq, and by U.S. Ambassador Patricia Butenis, Carcieri then met with members of the Rhode Island National Guard.

“I’m very excited by the opportunity to meet with members of the Rhode Island National Guard and to learn firsthand about their mission in Iraq,” Carcieri said in a statement. “Since 2001, hundreds of Rhode Island National Guard members have been deployed in Iraq. As Governor, I want to better understand the hardships our soldiers are enduring.”

Carcieri was interviewed by members of the Rhode Island National Guard 65th PC Detachment for the Armed Forces Network.

He then went on to Ar-Ramadi, where he met with local officials and the Rhode Island National Guard 169th Military Police Company, before returning to Baghdad.

In the statement released today, Carcieri said he wanted to personally thanks the troops “for their willingness to endure so many sacrifices for the benefit of all Rhode Islanders and America.”

I also want to thank them personally for their willingness to endure so many sacrifices for the benefit of all Rhode Islanders and all Americans. We all owe a tremendous debt of gratitude to these outstanding men and women.”