Posted on 12/22/2007 12:46:24 AM PST by JohnHuang2
The Pentagon expects that more than 40,000 U.S. troops will be home by July if the situation in Iraq remains stable, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said yesterday.
Declining to cite exact troop numbers, Mr. Gates told reporters that five brigade combat teams are scheduled to be home by July. Defense officials said there are nearly 4,000 front-line troops for each plus about that number of support personnel, who are expected to redeploy as well.
"The situation on the ground, I think, makes it likely that General [David H.] Petraeus will be able to decide and bring out the first five [brigades] by July, as he indicated in September," Mr. Gates said, referring to the U.S. commander in Iraq. "We obviously want to sustain the gains that we have already made."
Gen. Petraeus' assessment of the mission in Iraq will be a determining factor in troop reduction, said Mr. Gates, who was joined by Marine Gen. James E. Cartwright, the vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
The Defense Department estimates that the current 20 combat brigades could be reduced to 15 by next year, leaving roughly 130,000 troops in Iraq. Some redeployments are set to begin next week.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtontimes.com ...
Nancy Pelosi appear behind a podium yet, saying Bush is finally knuckling under to the democrats?
Of course the Dumbocrats will SPIN this:
Harry reid: “Gen Petraeus has finally sided with the Democrats that our troops should come home......40,000 is a good start.”
And the Republicans' SHOULD be "Get Out of My Life, Government," but if you look around here, you don't see much of that. The sentiment is expressed, but everyone wants their little cut of pork before we make real change.
Sorry, tangent.
Or worse - “America is retreating.”
(I can see even Pat Buchanan spinning that one)
When they come home, they will come home victoriously. That's the difference to the Rat's dark scheme, regardless how much spinning they do.
...or...
REID: ‘The surge never worked...40,000 troops is enough for our brave troops to come home.”
“We obviously want to sustain the gains that we have already made.”
Except Democrats.
they will come home victoriously
Democrats don’t want that, the truth getting out before the election.
Their return will NOT be heavily covered in the MSM...
American communist owned networks.
"Mental Problems Plague Returning Troops Nearly One-Third of Veterans Can't Leave Trauma Behind, New Study Suggests "
"Stress Disorder Seen Soaring Among Returning Troops"
"Returning Troops Treated For Emotional, Mental Scars "
"Failures in Medical Care for Returning Troops"
"A rush to make room for returning troops Substandard housing and overcrowded schools could pose problems at home as military downsizes abroad. "
Unfortunately, you are correct.
MSM will opine that they now can’t get their jobs back in this failing economy!/sarc
ping
Just in time for the election.
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