Guard Equipment to Return From Iraq

Guard Equipment to Return From Iraq
October 27, 2009
Army News Service|by SSgt. Jim Greenhill

ARLINGTON, Va. - National Guard equipment will be returned from Iraq to the United States and Guard units can fill shortages with equipment currently in use in Iraq, Defense officials told Congress members.

"Reserve-component equipment will not be used as a source for Iraqi security forces requirements," Undersecretary of Defense for Policy Michele Flournoy told a House Armed Services Committee hearing on redeployment. "In fact, reserve units serving in Iraq are being offered the opportunity to take theater-provided equipment back to their home station to fill any authorized shortages."

More than 143,000 troops were serving on the ground in Iraq in January, the committee heard - fewer than 120,000 are there now; plans call for 11 combat brigades totaling about 100,000 personnel at the end of the year.

"In August 2010, our combat mission in Iraq will end and our military presence ... will consist of six, advise-and-assist brigades, with about 50,000 American military personnel," Rep. Ike Skelton said. "Assuming this phase of the redeployment goes smoothly, we will slowly withdraw the remaining brigades until ... there are no U.S. military personnel on Jan. 1, 2012."

Some 3.3 million pieces of equipment are in Iraq. Some of that equipment is scheduled to be given and/or sold to the Iraqi security forces. Members of the House Armed Services Committee have expressed concern that National Guard equipment that is needed for domestic missions not be left behind.


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