U.S. extends (3200) combat tours in Afghanistan

[deadparrot]

WASHINGTON - The Pentagon has decided to extend the combat tour of 3,200 soldiers from a 10th Mountain Division brigade in Afghanistan for four months in hopes of quelling the violence.

The decision comes a week after Defense Secretary Robert Gates met with commanders in Afghanistan and heard a request for more troops.

Lt. Gen. Karl Eikenberry, the top U.S. commander in Afghanistan, at first asked for about 1,200 troops. Gates said he was "strongly inclined" to meet the commander's request but wanted to consider other options before deciding how many to hold over.

Ben Abel, a spokesman for Fort Drum, N.Y., where the 3rd Brigade, 10th Mountain Division is based, confirmed that Gates had decided to extend the brigade's tour.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070124/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/us_afghanistan

[Tin Man]

1. Sorry boys, but it's up to you to save W's legacy.

This is exactly how W is destroying the military. Absurd leaders, too much hardship, too few troops, and futile jestures.

[ninkasi]

2. The idiot

is grinding our troops into the ground. They are overextended, and exhausted, and the sacrifices that the little sociopath babbles about are coming from the military, and their families. God forbid that the wealthy have to pay a bit more in taxes in order to provide for the mounting costs of Dubya's wars, and for the medical treatment of the ones fortunate enough to come back alive.

[Pastiche423]

3. Of course they need more troops in Afghanistan

Look what's inbetween Afghanistan and Iraq...

[Judi Lynn]

4. U.S. extends troops' Afghanistan tour

U.S. extends troops' Afghanistan tour
Posted on : Thu, 25 Jan 2007 17:50:01 GMT

WASHINGTON, Jan. 25 Some 3,200 U.S. Army soldiers from Fort Drum, N.Y., had their tour in Afghanistan extended for up to three months Thursday by the Department of Defense.

The announcement came a week after commanders in Afghanistan told Defense Secretary Robert Gates they needed more troops.

The order affects soldiers of the 3rd Brigade, 10th Mountain Division, operating as part of the NATO-International Security Assistance Force.

There are 31,000 NATO troops battling the Taliban in Afghanistan, more than 10,000 of which are from the United States, which has an additional 12,000 troops operating under Pentagon command.
(snip/)

http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/23960.html

[Judi Lynn]

5. Bush extends tour of Afghanistan troops

Bush extends tour of Afghanistan troops
January 25th, 2007

Washington, D.C. - More than 3,000 U.S. troops will stay in Afghanistan longer than planned, the Pentagon said on Thursday, as NATO commanders seek to boost combat power ahead of an expected spring offensive by Taliban militants.


The 3,200 troops from the 3rd Brigade, 10th Mountain Division, were due to complete a year-long deployment next month, defense officials said. But their tour has been extended by up to 120 days, the Defense Department said in a statement.

Defense Secretary Robert Gates said last week on a visit to Afghanistan that U.S. and NATO commanders had asked for more troops and that he was sympathetic to their request.

By keeping in place both the brigade and the soldiers who have arrived to replace them, commanders can significantly boost the size of U.S. forces, which form part of a NATO force charged with stabilizing Afghanistan.
(snip/...)

http://www.alaskareport.com/reu77526.htm

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

U.S. boosts troops, plans more aid for Afghanistan
25 Jan 2007 17:37:30 GMT
Source: Reuters

By Andrew Gray

WASHINGTON, Jan 25 (Reuters) - The United States has extended the tours of duty of 3,200 troops in Afghanistan and plans more than $8 billion in aid for the country in a drive to halt a Taliban resurgence, officials said on Thursday.

The troops from the 3rd Brigade, 10th Mountain Division, were due to complete a year-long deployment next month, defense officials said. But their tour has been extended by up to 120 days, the Defense Department said in a statement.

With more than 4,000 people dying in violence, last year was the bloodiest in Afghanistan since U.S.-led forces toppled the Taliban hard-line Islamist government in 2001 in response to the Sept. 11 attacks on the United States.

U.S. commanders have said they expect the Taliban to try to increase the level of violence again in spring. Fighting in Afghanistan traditionally subsides in the winter but picks up again after the snows melt.
(snip/...)

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N25239260.htm

[saigon68]

6. This move by the Chimp should increase morale

</sarcasm>

[shadowknows69]

7. here's the punchline to this sick joke

<http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=42643&mesg_id=42643>