Gates: U.S. will maintain troops levels in S. Korea

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Gates: U.S. will maintain troops levels in S. Korea
By Ashley Rowland, Stars and Stripes
Pacific edition, Thursday, June 5, 2008

SEOUL — U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates said Tuesday that the United States will maintain its current level of troops in South Korea, despite speculation that an Apache helicopter battalion based there might be deployed to the Middle East.

He said no decision has been made, nor will one be made soon, about sending the Apaches.

Any change in U.S. troop strength on the peninsula will be made after fully consulting with South Korean defense officials, though there will be fluctuations in personnel and units as the 8th Army transforms, he said.

"We will keep our commitments made at Camp David and we will ensure that we maintain at least the same capabilities that we have here and perhaps be able to enhance them," he said.

Gates spoke to reporters after attending a change-of-command ceremony for U.S. Forces Korea commander Gen. Walter Sharp, who succeeded retiring Gen. B.B. Bell.


Rest of article at: http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=55314