MILWAUKEE -- Defense Secretary Robert Gates says that as the United States closes its combat mission in Iraq, all is not perfect there -- but it is much better.

In Milwaukee on Tuesday, Gates told the American Legion that overall levels of violence are way down, despite recent high-profile attacks.

He said the U.S. has not needed to conduct an air strike in more than six months.

"Tomorrow Operation Iraqi Freedom will officially become Operation New Dawn, a change that recognizes that Iraqis have assumed full responsibility for their own security. This is the moment both of our nations have long worked for, a moment made possible by the dramatic security gains of the last three and a half years," Gates said.

Gates said President Barack Obama will talk Tuesday about the future role of the U.S. in Iraq. U.S. officials said they want a friendly relationship with Iraq, but do not want a permanent military presence there.

Obama will address the nation later Tuesday about the transition from a combat mission to an advisory role for the fewer than 50,000 U.S, troops remaining in Iraq.