On the 21st of July I watched a tele-conference press briefing with the CO of the 172nd. It was like many others the Pentagon folks put on for the press from time to time. I'm going to watch it again now but I don't remember even a hint that anything was up. Supposedly, the decisions to hold the 172nd was made on the 27th and something had to be in the works on the 21st. The grunts can figure this out too, and it ain't good.
http://www.c-span.org/VideoArchives.asp?CatCodePairs=,&ArchiveDays=100&Page=18
Iraq Briefing with Army Col. Michael Shields
Army Col. Michael Shields, commander of 172nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, briefs live from Iraq to provide an update on ongoing security operations.
7/21/2006: WASHINGTON, DC: 30 min.
I meant to ping you to 33.