Bush Withdrawal Math: 5,700 Marines coming home in '07 & 3,400 Indiana troops to be deployed in '08

Bush announces U.S. troop withdrawal from Iraq
Sheldon Alberts, CanWest News Service
Published: Thursday, September 13, 2007

http://www.canada.com/nationalpost/news/story.html?id=d3564cfa-8b36-4a84-81b1-9e9c879b0018&k=59477news/story.html?id=d3564cfa-8b36-4a84-81b1-9e9c879b0018&k=59477

WASHINGTON -- President George W. Bush announced Thursday night he had agreed to begin a gradual withdrawal of American combat forces from Iraq, with as many as 5,700 Marines set to return home by Christmas.

But even as he declared the recent U.S. troop surge a "success," Bush said Americans must now prepare for a long-term U.S. military commitment in Iraq that will continue for years after he leaves the White House in early 2009.

In a prime-time televised address to the nation, Bush said he plans to negotiate an "enduring" strategic pact with Iraqi leaders to provide military, economic and political assistance to the war-torn nation.

"Because of the measure of success we are seeing in Iraq, we can begin seeing troops come home," Bush said in remarks prepared for delivery from the Oval Office.

3,400 Indiana-Based Soldiers Likely Head To Iraq
Move Would Leave 8,000 National Guard In Indiana

POSTED: 10:11 am EDT September 17, 2007
UPDATED: 10:18 am EDT September 17, 2007
INDIANAPOLIS -- The Indianapolis-based National Guard 76th Infantry Brigade Combat Team has been notified that it will be deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

The soldiers' deployment is expected to happen in 2008. They had been told in February that it was likely they would be deployed in 2008.

"The brigade has an exceptional amount of experience and talent. The state's successful recruiting efforts have given us the additional numbers of quality individuals we need to meet these challenges," said Maj. Gen. R. Martin Umbarger.

Officials said 8,000 Air and Army National Guard soldiers will remain in Indiana after the deployment.

Units based in Columbus, Jasper, New Albany, Fort Wayne, Crawfordsville, Greencastle, Remington and Indianapolis will deploy with the brigade.

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