'Pentagon Officials': Petreaus wants 'surge' troops into the fall

After being engaged by insurgents, U.S. Army Soldiers from the 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division cordon and search houses in March

WASHINGTON, April 9 — The top American commander in Iraq has recommended that reinforced troop levels in Iraq be maintained at least through September, Pentagon officials said Monday.

The commander, Gen. David H. Petraeus, recommended that the current level of 20 ground combat brigades be maintained into the fall, they said.

Pentagon officials are examining options for how to maintain the buildup. A leading option is to extend the deployment of four ground combat brigades and an aviation brigade, which have a combined strength of more than 15,000 troops.

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