U.S. to Keep Troop Levels Through Fall

Source: Associated Press

U.S. to Keep Troop Levels Through Fall

By JIM KRANE
The Associated Press
Wednesday, March 28, 2007; 2:36 PM

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates -- U.S. commanders in Iraq won't know
until at least autumn when they can begin to bring troop levels back
down, the chief spokesman told the Associated Press on Wednesday.

The overall U.S. commander, Gen. David Petraeus, will want to sustain
the momentum that has been gained in the Baghdad security offensive
by keeping five added Army combat brigades in place, Maj. Gen. William
C. Caldwell said.

"I think it'll be fall before General Petraeus can make a decision on
whether he wants to bring down his force level," Caldwell said in an
interview in Dubai.

Only two of the five Army brigades are fully active in Baghdad, but a
third, from the 82nd Airborne Division, is moving in now. Caldwell said
all five won't be in place until June. A pair of additional Marine
battalions are reinforcing operations in western Anbar province.

-snip-

Read more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/03/28/AR2007032801289.html

:puke:

Did they say autumn of which year?

I don't understand why we need this surge, though. According to Maverick Straight Talker John McCain, practically all of Iraq is just flowing with milk, honey, peace, and love between neighbors. And independent-minded Joe Lieberman, channeling the White House line to near perfection (gotta do something about how whiny his voice sounds -- maybe he should wear one of those Darth Vader voice modulating helmets?) says that Iraq is so nicey-nice he and the missus are thinking about retiring there.