U.S. Extends Duty in Iraq for 6,500 Troops

[Champ]

By ROBERT BURNS, AP Military Writer

WASHINGTON - The Army has extended by two months the Iraq (news - web sites) tours of about 6,500 soldiers, citing a need for experienced troops through the Iraqi elections scheduled for late January.

About 3,500 soldiers of the 2nd Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, and 3,000 from the 1st Infantry Division headquarters will remain in Iraq two months longer than planned, Bryan Whitman, a Pentagon (news - web sites) spokesman, said Saturday.

The purpose, Whitman said, is to "maintain continuity of forces in the theater during the election period."

Roughly 135,000 American troops are in Iraq.

Whitman said the extensions will result in a net addition of about 3,500 troops in the country, since replacements for the 3,000 from the 1st Infantry will delay their arrival until after the elections.

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=542&ncid=718&e=3&u=/ap/20041031/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/iraq_us_military

[saigon68]

1. Another reason to RE-Enlist

As the Chimp says "fool me once shame on (duh)", "fool me once shame on (duh)", "fool me once shame on (duh)"

I imagine the wives and other dependants love this. Do they think this religious War will be over soon if Chimpy wins?

[Moderator]

2. Duplicate

( fifth time)
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=944780