UPDATE 3-US general sees Iraq forces stood up by mid-2009

(Recasts with new comments from Dubik)

By Andy Sullivan

WASHINGTON, July 9 (Reuters) - Iraq's combat troops will be almost fully formed by the middle of 2009, according to the senior U.S. Army officer who led the training of Iraqi security forces.

But Iraqi troops will still need some U.S. support, Lt. Gen. James Dubik told Reuters in an e-mail.

Dubik said U.S. forces might need to provide air and fire support, training assistance and other aspects of combat support and professional development.

"One of the forms of partnership will be the partnering of coalition force combat units with Iraqi security forces," Dubik said in the e-mail, clarifying earlier comments he made to the U.S. House of Representatives armed services committee.

Earlier on Wednesday, Dubik was asked by the committee chairman when Iraqi security forces would be able to take over security from U.S. forces. He responded that Iraq's ground troops "will mostly be done by the middle of next year."

Dubik later said Iraqi forces would continue to need U.S. help.

He would not say when U.S. operations supporting Iraq could be completed. He said that depends on when the Iraqi government completes certain tasks, such as purchasing its own aircraft.