Pentagon plans deployment of 14,000 in Guard up to 4 years early

WASHINGTON, Feb. 21 — The Pentagon is planning to send more than 14,000 National Guard troops back to Iraq next year, shortening their time between deployments to meet the demands of President Bush’s buildup, Defense Department officials said Wednesday.

National Guard officials told state commanders in Arkansas, Indiana, Oklahoma and Ohio last month that while a final decision had not been made, units from their states that had done previous tours in Iraq and Afghanistan could be designated to return to Iraq next year between January and June, the officials said.

The unit from Oklahoma, a combat brigade with one battalion currently in Afghanistan, had not been scheduled to go back to Iraq until 2010, and brigades from the other three states not until 2009. Each brigade has about 3,500 soldiers.

Read the rest at the NY Times

Related Link:
Britain to withdraw 1,600 troops; Denmark to withdraw 460

Related Link:
Bush Extends Stay for 3,200 Troops in Afghanistan

Related Link:
U.S. Baghdad Commander Fil asks for additional 7,500 troops above 17,000 already committed to surge

Related Link:
Congressional Budget Office: Surge may take up to 28,000 additional 'support' troops, pushing total to 49,500

Related Link:
Pentagon accelerates deployment of division HQ of 1,000 to Baghdad

Related Link:
Bush Extends Stay for 3,200 Troops in Afghanistan

Related Link:
Unit for Iraq to be redeployed to Afghanistan

Related Link:
Pentagon abandons Guard, Reserve protections; institutes re-mobilizations up to 24 consecutive months

Related Link:
Bush: 20,000 more to Iraq; 'expect more casualites'

Related Link:
Pentagon: 57,000 troops to deploy early next year