Marine Commandant Conway: Iraq buildup a longterm commitment, says a drawdown would be 'very disruptive'

Soldiers with the 31st Combat Air Support Hospital walk to an awaiting plane today on their way to deploy to Iraq.

WASHINGTON – The military buildup in Iraq is likely to take longer than the American people or Congress want to wait, the Marine commandant said Wednesday.

While not mentioning Congress, Gen. James Conway also told reporters "it would be very disruptive" to commanders and troops in Iraq if there were a sudden move to stop the buildup now and start a withdrawal. He said it will be difficult for Marines to sustain the higher troop levels into next year...

It is still not clear if the troop increase that Bush ordered in January will be a short-term boost or a longer-term requirement, Conway said. He said that decision needs to come from Gen. David Petraeus, the top U.S. commander in Iraq, who is making battle plans based on promised troop levels.

Read the rest at the San Diego Tribune

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