Germany drawdown to be delayed

[unhappycamper]

Germany drawdown to be delayed
The Associated Press
Posted : Wednesday Dec 19, 2007 16:49:46 EST

WASHINGTON — The U.S. will delay a plan to reduce the number of its troops based in Germany, the Army announced Wednesday.

The decision by Defense Secretary Robert Gates confirms a request by the head of U.S. European Command, Gen. Bantz Craddock, to keep two brigades in Germany to help support operations including NATO’s mission in Afghanistan.

The two brigades will remain two years longer than originally planned, with one being relocated to Texas in 2012 and the other in 2013.

Senior Army officials, including Secretary of the Army Pete Geren, told reporters that some of the troops retained could be relocated within Germany, but that a plan had not been completed yet.

Craddock questioned the troop reduction plan shortly after taking over the European post late last year.


Rest of article at: http://www.armytimes.com/news/2007/12/ap_germanyreductions_071219/