Surge' needs up to 7,000 more troops (28,500)

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http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/iraq/2007-03-01-surge_x.htm?csp=1

Surge' needs up to 7,000 more troops
Updated 3/2/2007 10:40 AM ET

By Tom Vanden Brook, USA TODAY

WASHINGTON — President Bush's planned escalation of U.S. forces in Iraq will require as many as 28,500 troops, Pentagon officials told a Senate committee Thursday.

Deputy Defense Secretary Gordon England also told the Senate Budget Committee that it will be clear within months whether the so-called surge in forces has succeeded in helping secure Iraq.

"By this summer we would have a much better indication in terms of the success of the program," England said. "And so at that time we would adjust however is appropriate to do so."

In January, Bush said he would send 21,500 more combat troops to Iraq. England said 6,000 to 7,000 support troops will be needed to back up the larger combat force.

England's estimate differed from the Congressional Budget Office's estimate last month that as many as 28,000 extra troops would be needed to support the escalation.