Marine Commandant Conway: Withdrawal of Marines from Iraq could take 28 months after receiving orders

Above: A U.S. Marine with Regimental Combat Team 2 provides security for two CH-53D Sea Stallion helicopters to land during an Aero Scout training mission in Al Asad in August.

The Marine Corps faces an eight- to 28-month drawdown operation once it receives orders to leave Iraq, the service’s top general said Thursday.

Speaking in Arlington, Va., at a dinner for logistics Marines, Commandant Gen. James Conway said his staff is considering scenarios for egress when the time comes to depart.

According to Conway, the main plans under consideration include: the withdrawal of all personnel and equipment, estimated to take 28 months; a departure that leaves nearly all equipment behind, an estimated eight-month operation; and a hybrid plan that would dispense some materiel to Iraqi forces and take roughly 20 months.

“Any suggestion that they could be out of there by next spring is not feasible,” Conway said.

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