US sending 300 troops who just returned weeks ago back to Iraq

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N14437695.htm

WASHINGTON, Aug 14 (Reuters) - About 300 U.S. soldiers who just weeks ago returned home to Alaska after a year in Iraq are being ordered back to try to help bolster security in Baghdad, the U.S. Army said on Monday.

The soldiers are part of the 3,900-strong 172nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team from Fort Wainwright in Alaska. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld on July 27 ordered the unit to remain in Iraq for up to four months past its scheduled departure.

The order provoked anger and disappointment among some of the soldiers' families in Alaska. It also made clear that any significant reduction in the 135,000-strong U.S. force in Iraq was unlikely in the immediate future.

The brigade was so far along in the process of flowing out of Iraq after its yearlong tour that 380 soldiers had returned home to Alaska and 300 had arrived in Kuwait en route home, the Army said.

[Monkeyman]

1. But its fine in Iraq ya right

Just hope they come home soon

[bigdarryl]

3. My goodness

What a mess

[JohnnyLib]

2. erosion of the military

is going on slowly, insidiously, in many aspects. This is a small but blatant example. Murtha is carrying the torch on this one.

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

4. My friend is part of the 172nd Stryker Brigade.

He was supposed to be coming home in a couple weeks (it's his second tour), but his tour is being extended four months and he's getting moved into Baghdad.

I'm pretty worried about him. He's a really good liberal too, who felt this war was illegal way before he was sent over there.