U.S. force in Iraq to grow as Marine deployment pushed up

[Spazito]

The Pentagon (news - web sites) will increase the number of U.S. troops in Iraq (news - web sites) to around 145,000 this summer, from the current 140,000, in recognition of the continued difficulty coalition forces are having in providing security leading up to the hand-over of political power to Iraqis on June 30.


The new troops will come from the Marine Corps, which will move up a deployment originally planned for this fall and send 5,000 Marines to Iraq by August. The first troops in that contingent - 2,200 Marines from the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit - have already left their home base in San Diego for Iraq. The remainder will come from the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit in North Carolina.


Overall, U.S. force levels in Iraq could rise even higher than 145,000 as Marines already in Iraq have their tours extended to overlap with incoming replacements, said Lt. Gen. Robert Magnus, deputy commandant for programs and resources. How long the Marines now due to rotate home will be forced to stay "depends on how well the Iraqi forces come along and whether there are more troops, or less troops, from foreign countries," Magnus told reporters Tuesday.

snip

Magnus said the request for more Marines, who are traditionally used as strike forces and not occupation forces, will add to pressure that has already pushed the Marines to the point where they will begin having trouble sustaining overseas combat operations at the current level.

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http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=676&e=6&u=/usatoday/usforceiniraqtogrowasmarinedeploymentpushedup

[saigon68]

1. More Gold Star Mothers More Orphans

For the Halliburton Oily War.

[readmylips]

2. From what I heard....

my family's military people, lovers of bush. They believe the military has been sent by bush, to Iraq for a big bush photo op in front of where Saddam's famous statue used to be. This will be the most expensive tax-payer bush campaign ploy ever. Bush wants to say for real; Mission Accomplished. My family believes that for sure, bush's ratings will reach the 80s. Landslide win for bush....but my republican family also believe tha bush is the father, son, and holy ghost.

[cliss]

3. Know what this reminds me of?

A middle aged man who just HAS to have a Jaguar. He knows he can't afford it. He knows it will probably destroy his marriage because they are already deeply in debt and the creditors are calling. The kids will be furious because there won't be any money left for health insurance + their college education.

But he can't get that beautiful car out of his mind. Under the covers, he can just taste the smell of leather in that beautiful interior. His mind is made up.

In his own mind, he has rationalized everything. It will be good for the family, he reasons. The neighborhood will increase its status by having one good-looking neighbor. (never mind that they might be evicted in 6 months.....)

OK, buddy. You just go right ahead.

[gratuitous]

4. But Rumsfeld said they had all the troops they needed!

And more! They were gonna start sending guys home, they had so many troops they didn't know what to do with. Back up to 140,000 now, huh? Ever get the idea that we're not being let in on quite everything that's transpiring in Iraq?

And, of course, under Iraqi full sovereignty, if the Council of Puppets says "Get those foreign troops off our soil!" then we'll comply, just like that, right? Right?

[TacticalPeek]

5. Every day I hate Bush more.

Every fn day.

I know some guys going with this bunch who are refinancing houses, selling trucks, etc to buy the equipment they need to accomplish their mission, and they're still short. AWOLSOB-in-Chief.

Every mfn day. MORE.

[struggle4progress]

6. Iraq needs more US troops for full sovereignty

[Just Me]

7. Meanwhile, Dubya LIES and says Iraqis will be providing security

for the Iraqi people.

[saigon68]

8. They will hire more SKUNKY Mercenaries

And the Iraqis will have more Barbecues