Conway: Iraq exit would take 8 to 28 months

[unhappycamper]

Conway: Iraq exit would take 8 to 28 months
By Patricia Kime - Staff writer
Posted : Friday Sep 14, 2007 19:28:52 EDT

The Marine Corps faces an eight- to 28-month drawdown operation once it receives orders to leave Iraq, the service’s top general said Thursday.

Speaking in Arlington, Va., at a dinner for logistics Marines, Commandant Gen. James Conway said his staff is considering scenarios for egress when the time comes to depart.

According to Conway, the main plans under consideration include: the withdrawal of all personnel and equipment, estimated to take 28 months; a departure that leaves nearly all equipment behind, an estimated eight-month operation; and a hybrid plan that would dispense some materiel to Iraqi forces and take roughly 20 months.

“Any suggestion that they could be out of there by next spring is not feasible,” Conway said.

However, Conway said the Marine Corps cannot continue sustaining troops in Iraq at current levels and the service is “looking at a drawdown sooner or later.”

But echoing statements made by Army Gen. David Petraeus before Congress earlier in the week, the commandant said that Iraq, especially Anbar province, is “better today than it has been.”


Rest of article: http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/news/2007/09/marine_conway_070914/