Gates: Longer Iraq Deployments Unlikely (AP)

[Eugene]

Source: Associated Press

Gates: Longer Iraq Deployments Unlikely

By LOLITA C. BALDOR
The Associated Press
Thursday, June 21, 2007; 2:33 PM

WASHINGTON -- Defense Secretary Robert Gates said Thursday
that extending deployments of U.S. troops now in Iraq beyond the
current 15 months was a "worst-case scenario" and that he didn't
anticipate it happening.

He also told a Pentagon news conference he couldn't say how long
American forces would have to stay at increased levels in the
effort to secure Baghdad.

Military deployments were recently extended to 15 months from 12
months. He said it was his hope to move as soon as possible back
to 12-month deployments, with a year at home, and then eventually
to 12-month terms with two years at home.

-snip-

Asked about the prospects for leaving U.S. troops in Iraq at their
current high levels, Gates said, "We'll just to have to wait and see
the progress of these offensives."

-snip-

Read more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/06/21/AR2007062101189.html

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Related LBN thread: Army Considers Longer Combat Tours Again

[tridim]

1. So when (not if) Bush's BS surge fails, the shorter deployments are put on hold

Great plan there Gates, way to follow that script.