Pentagon to keep Troop Levels in Iraq

[brettdale]

http://www.sunherald.com/mld/sunherald/news/politics/13073422.htm

WASHINGTON - The U.S. military is likely to keep an expanded force of about 160,000 troops in Iraq through the Dec. 15 election of a new government and then make a "fairly rapid" reduction to what has been the standard troop level of about 138,000, a senior Pentagon official said Thursday.

Marine Corps Lt. Gen. James T. Conway, the director of operations for the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told a Pentagon news conference that there currently are "just short of" 160,000 American troops in Iraq.

"That's sort of the baseline figure that we think we'll probably see on through the election period," Conway said, adding that the number would fluctuate as fresh Army forces arrive to replace those completing their one-year tours of duty.

Three of the 101st Airborne Division's four combat brigades, for example, have recently arrived in Iraq, and the 4th Infantry Division is beginning to move in. After the election, the 3rd Infantry Division will be leaving.

[TheCowsCameHome]

1. That 160,000 number will likely be reduced

thru deaths and injuries.

Bush, Cheney, and Rumsfeld should be charged with murder.

[VLC98]

2. I have a question.

Does anyone know how the troops break down into regular army, guard and reserve currently?