Posted on 02/17/2009 3:52:57 PM PST by DJ Elliott
Pursuant to President Obama’s decision today, Secretary Gates ordered the deployment of two additional combat units, totaling more than 12,000 troops, to Afghanistan. The 2d Marine Expeditionary Brigade (MEB), from Camp Lejeune, N.C., with approximately 8,000 Marines will deploy to Afghanistan in late Spring 2009.
The 5th Stryker Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division from Ft. Lewis, Wash., will deploy approximately 4,000 soldiers to Afghanistan in mid-summer 2009. This Stryker Brigade and the MEB will deploy to increase the capabilities of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF).
Approximately 5,000 additional troops to support these combat forces will receive deployment orders at a later date.
DoD will continue to announce major unit deployments when they are approved. For additional information on the Marine Expeditionary Brigade, contact Marine Corps Public Affairs at (703) 614-4309. For additional information on the Army brigade, contact Army Public Affairs at (703) 614-2487.
There are 5,000 more to follow. Total of 17,000 going.
Short of the 30000 Bush had wanted sent ... And short of what Odummer said he would send to the main front on the war on terror.
I hope nobody tells Feinstein.
Still too many were sent. We can’t afford it any more. We are bankrupt. World policemen can’t be bankrupt.
what does Code Pink think about this?
This is the DoD plan that was already in works before Obama was swore in. Aparently Gates sold it to him...
They can send all they want. Pakistan is and will remain the problem.
Update from Gates interview on flight to Europe.
These are ALL forces that were originaly to go to Iraq.
8,000 USMC diverted to Afghan from relieving forces in Anbar. 18,000 in MNF-W at last count.
So that means the force in Anbar is being cut by 45% this year...
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