DoubleEdgeSword
Dec 16th, 2006, 05:48 AM
U.S. to build up with 3,500 troops in Kuwait
POSTED: 10:55 p.m. EST, December 15, 2006 [/B]
BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) -- The U.S. military is planning to move a brigade of troops into Kuwait in what could be the first step of a short-term surge of American forces into Iraq to stabilize the violence.
The 2nd Brigade of the 82nd Airborne Division is expected in Kuwait shortly after the new year, a senior Defense Department official told The Associated Press on Friday. The official requested anonymity because the plans had not yet been announced.
The 2nd Brigade, made up of roughly 3,500 troops, is based at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, and would be deployed in Iraq early next year if needed, the official said.
The move would be part of an effort to boost the number of U.S. troops in Iraq for a short time, the official said. The plan was first reported by CBS News.
Meanwhile, the Army is considering ways it can speed up the creation of two additional combat brigades -- a move intended to expand the pool of active-duty combat brigades to relieve some of the strain from large-scale deployments to Iraq.
Under the plan being developed, the new brigades could be formed next year and be ready to be sent to Iraq in 2008, defense officials told The Associated Press. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because the plans were not final.
http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/meast/12/15/iraq.ap/index.html[/B]
POSTED: 10:55 p.m. EST, December 15, 2006 [/B]
BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) -- The U.S. military is planning to move a brigade of troops into Kuwait in what could be the first step of a short-term surge of American forces into Iraq to stabilize the violence.
The 2nd Brigade of the 82nd Airborne Division is expected in Kuwait shortly after the new year, a senior Defense Department official told The Associated Press on Friday. The official requested anonymity because the plans had not yet been announced.
The 2nd Brigade, made up of roughly 3,500 troops, is based at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, and would be deployed in Iraq early next year if needed, the official said.
The move would be part of an effort to boost the number of U.S. troops in Iraq for a short time, the official said. The plan was first reported by CBS News.
Meanwhile, the Army is considering ways it can speed up the creation of two additional combat brigades -- a move intended to expand the pool of active-duty combat brigades to relieve some of the strain from large-scale deployments to Iraq.
Under the plan being developed, the new brigades could be formed next year and be ready to be sent to Iraq in 2008, defense officials told The Associated Press. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because the plans were not final.
http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/meast/12/15/iraq.ap/index.html[/B]