About 1,500 Soldiers Will Be Ordered to Stay in Iraq Longer Than Planned

[soup]

WASHINGTON (AP) - The Pentagon is extending tours of duty in Iraq for about 1,500 soldiers, mainly helicopter and other transportation support personnel, defense officials said Monday.
It is the latest in a series of adjustments to a plan for replacing the approximately 125,000 troops who have served in Iraq nearly a year with a slightly smaller, more mobile force.

In this case, commanders determined that allowing the 1,500 soldiers to leave as originally scheduled would create an unacceptable gap in capability. So they will remain in place - some for as few as five extra days, others for as much as 60 more days, officials said.

The decision is expected to be publicly announced as early as Tuesday, officials said.

>snip<

The Army also is rotating its Afghanistan force. The 10th Mountain Division, which had been scheduled to leave in February after completing six months in Afghanistan will remain an extra three months. Its designated replacement, the 25th Infantry Division, will do a 12-month tour instead of six months.
http://ap.tbo.com/ap/breaking/MGAYOJM2DPD.html

[Hobarticus]

1. Sad to say, they better get used to it...

Didn't the British say last week that they expect to be in Iraq until 2007? And they're in a "quiet" zone!

Really have to feel bad for these reservists. I know they signed the dotted line and cashed the checks, but none of them actually expected to go to full-scale war, and get cycled in and out of the war zone to boot. This has to be seriously affecting recruitment and enlistment...which leaves us weaker.

[yellowcanine]

2. The "stealth draft" is here.

It is only a matter of time until we have a real draft. Look for it in the SOTU address in 2005 if Bush wins/steals election in November.

[lovedems]

3. I wonder how many will be dying instead of being at home with their family

Because it is likely to happen. I would so pissed if my family member had to stay 5 extra days and was killed because of it. They are running these poor troops to the ground with utter disregard. 12 month tours instead of 6?