Here we go: Gates: 3,000 Extra Troops Could go to Afghanistan

[tekisui]

Source: AP

WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama said he'd send 30,000 more troops to Afghanistan. But the actual number could be higher.

Defense Secretary Robert Gates says he asked the president for flexibility on the number in case military commanders in the field request additional medics or troops trained to detect improvised explosive devices.

Gates told a Senate committee Thursday that he got approval for the 30,000 troop deployment to be expanded by as much as 3,000 if necessary.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091203/ap_on_go_co/us_us_afghanistan_troops

[TornadoTN]

1. I've seen 34,000 as the number to begin with

I wouldn't be the least bit surprised should we send upwards of 40k initially.

[Solly Mack]

2. No surprise there...support troops and all that

It was to be expected...even though it wasn't stated


I think the real number is going to be closer to 42K when all is said and done

I'm sorry you're being attacked for posting the information. I well remember the disgust/anger on DU when the Bush administration would say one thing one day about troop numbers and then spend the next few days "clarifying" (that's what they called it)...when they could have just said it the first time around.

[nadinbrzezinski]

7. I was thinking 45-48K but that is me

the damn geography will need this. Most will be logistics troops... with a few more medical.

[TexasObserver]

3. Even then, they'll use contractors to send "more troops" than represented.

[spanone]

4. all the bu$hists need to go....now

[TwilightGardener]

5. My goodness, we wouldn't want them to send in medics and EOD guys.

Even if they needed it--because, you know, then it won't be exactly 30,000. I think it's sad to be so vested in proving that your own party's President is a dishonest man.

[tekisui]

9. Why not include them in the numbers?

This is simply the first uptick in numbers, I expect more. It doesn't have anything to do with a desire to portray someone as dishonest. I am just bringing facts and information here as I find it.

[TwilightGardener]

13. I'm referring to your post as it's worded: "Here we go"...

implying, of course, that you are looking for expected evidence that the President will be dishonest because the total troop count might be more than anticipated. That's just very sad. If it's in the ballpark of what he announced, I'm OK with that--especially in sending support troops who perform life-saving duties.

[tekisui]

15. It wasn't meant to be a reflection on Obama's honesty.

I did expect it, and I do expect more upticks to drip out as time goes on. It is the nature of selling a war. Ease the public into it.

[atreides1]

11. Several points

Most combat brigades already have medics assigned to the units! So these look to be extra medical personnel.

EOD is a specialty and are usually attached to units that require their expertise, usually in the HQ elements.

And personally I don't believe Gates anyway, and it wouldn't be the first time that Congress was lied to.

[TwilightGardener]

16. What difference does it make if they're usually attached to units, if there's

a need for more OF THEM specifically? My husband has deployed with only a handful of his squadron, and no one else in his specialty, along with him. You can believe or not believe Gates, but I'm not going to fall on the floor and throw conniptions over a relatively small number of needed support troops.

[atreides1]

6. And so it begins

[Name removed]

8. Deleted sub-thread

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[beyond cynical]

10. That would make sense since there are ten in rear with the gear and the beer...

for every trigger puller.

[Arctic Dave]

12. Damn, that must have been in the fine print of O's speech.

I have a bad feeling this will be first "addendum".

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

14. The sugar coating on that poisen pill is wearing off fast.

[ChickMagic]

17. My nephew is at Camp Pendelton right now

getting infantry training and will deploy to Afghanistan
around Christmas. Funny thing about it, he's known that
for several weeks. I'm worried sick.

[fascisthunter]

18. gee, what a surprise

[27inCali]

19. if we are going to do it, we should do it right

if there are going to be young people putting their lives at risk, then they should have all the support and numbers necessary period. Once you make a commitment to use force you use as overwhelming a force as possible and end it quickly, which what we all want -for it to end quickly!