101st BCT coming home from Iraq early

[unhappycamper]

Home for Christmas
2nd BCT had been scheduled to leave in February


101st BCT coming home from Iraq early
By Lolita C. Baldor - The Associated Press
Posted : Wednesday Nov 5, 2008 18:41:36 EST

WASHINGTON — Spurred on by a continued decline in violence, the U.S. military will reduce its presence in Iraq to 14 combat brigades this month — at least two months earlier than originally planned.

Military officials say two brigades from the 101st Airborne Division will leave Iraq this month and only one will be replaced. A brigade is roughly 3,500 soldiers. Initially the 3rd Brigade, 101st Division, was scheduled to leave this month, and the 2nd Brigade, 101st Division, was to leave by February.

On Wednesday, however, the military announced the 2nd Brigade will instead return to its Fort Campbell, Ky., home base this month, after serving for 13 months, rather than the expected 15.

The unit served in northwest Baghdad, where violence has plunged, including a 50 percent decline in overall attacks in the area and a more than 90 percent drop in murders.

U.S. forces have also seen a dramatic decline in troop fatalities, with deaths falling to their second lowest monthly level in October. There were 14 U.S. troops killed last month, including seven lost in combat. That total was one more than the 13 deaths in July — the lowest monthly level of the war.


Rest of article at: http://www.armytimes.com/news/2008/11/ap_iraq_101st_110508/%2e



uhc comment: The number of boots on the ground prior to the surge escalation was 132,000. The current headcount is around 150,000.