Washington » Rep. Jason Chaffetz, R-Utah, lent tentative support to President Barack Obama's war policy in Iraq after spending two days in the war-ravaged nation as part of a congressional delegation.

"Thus far he has been pretty good at listening to the generals. I just hope that continues," Chaffetz said. "My advice to the president is don't let politics drive the timeline."

The Iraq visit was the first leg in a longer tour of U.S. installations in the region, which marked Chaffetz's first major interaction with the military and his first international foray as a member of Congress.

He was accompanied by five other House members (four Democrats and a Republican) on the trip, which was led by Massachusetts Democratic Rep. Niki Tsongas. They visited Baghdad, spending the night at the new U.S. Embassy before taking a tour of Balad Air Force Base while wearing flak jackets and helmets.

Chaffetz was able to meet a few Utahns while in Iraq, including David and Melissa Delgado, of Layton.

He said morale seemed to be good and he was impressed by the recent improvements made in the Iraqi Security Forces.

"It is such an amazing effort that is going on there," he said. "We are turning the keys back over to the Iraqis."