Posted on 04/05/2007 4:35:00 PM PDT by txroadkill
WASHINGTON - Coming on the heels of a controversial “surge” of 21,000 U.S. troops that has stretched the Army thin, the Defense Department is preparing to send an additional 12,000 National Guard combat forces to Iraq and Afghanistan, defense officials told NBC News on Thursday.
The troops will come from four Guard combat brigades in different states, the officials told NBC News’ chief Pentagon correspondent, Jim Miklaszewski. They said papers ordering the deployment, which would run for one year beginning in early 2008, were awaiting Defense Secretary Robert Gates’ signature.
The deployment is sure to ignite a firestorm on Capitol Hill, where Democrats in Congress are maneuvering to scale back the U.S. commitment in Iraq. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., is pushing a proposal to end most spending on the war in 2008, limiting it to targeted operations against al-Qaida, training for Iraqi troops and protection for U.S. forces.
“I think this was all concealed until we got through the election,” said retired Army Gen. Barry McCaffrey, a military analyst for NBC News. “There’s no way to sustain the current rate of deployments without calling up probably nine National Guard brigades in the coming year for involuntary second tours.”
(Excerpt) Read more at msnbc.msn.com ...
Hmmmmm....there’s a big buildup of US military in the Gulf...has anyone started a pool for the date of the US strike against Iran?
LOL! What have you been smoking? There will be no attack on Iran by anyone including Israel.
Does anyone else think we should just keep all the National Guard here at home?
Let me be the first to enter the pool. I say the bombing will begin on June 3rd. Don't ask me why I chose that date, just pulled it out of my magic hat.
“Coming on the heels of a controversial “surge” of 21,000 U.S. troops that has stretched the Army thin...”
Stopped reading right there.
What you have to look for is Bush building up the national reserve. The only thing preventing it is fear of what cutting off the Iranian oil supply will do to the economy.
“controversial “surge”. As the bias in the MSM continues.
FNC now reporting it. Gates won’t sign unit Friday...if he does.
The national Guard is voluntary. No one is drafted into the guard. They chose to serve, and God bless them for their service.
Don't be silly, I just watched 60 Minutes tell me how they are "tricked" into the National Guard. And we all know how truthful and unbiased 60 Minutes is.
Hurray! My son has back-up. He’s getting tired of terrorists taking shots at him.
Yep. When the right takes back the house, senate, and presidency in 2008, the left wing is going to freak!
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