OMEN
02-18-2009, 11:14 PM
In his first major military move, US President Barack Obama has approved the deployment of 17,000 more troops to Afghanistan.
'There is no more solemn duty as president than the decision to deploy our armed forces into harm's way,' Mr Obama said in a statement.
'I do it today mindful that the situation in Afghanistan and Pakistan demands urgent attention and swift action.'
The new contingent is made up of 12,000 soldiers and 5,000 support staff.
The deployment provides two of three extra combat brigades requested by the top US and NATO commander in Afghanistan, General David McKiernan.
The units had originally been scheduled to go to Iraq.
Mr Obama said he had approved a request by Defence Secretary Robert Gates to deploy a Marine Expeditionary Brigade in the spring, and an Army Stryker Brigade and support forces later this summer.
The White House said some 17,000 troops will be deployed to Afghanistan ahead of Afghan elections scheduled for 20 August, significantly building up the 38,000-strong US force already on the ground battling a growing insurgency.
Asked about possible future troop deployment orders, a senior administration official said they were unlikely to come before an ongoing comprehensive review of US strategy in Afghanistan and Pakistan was completed.
RTE
'There is no more solemn duty as president than the decision to deploy our armed forces into harm's way,' Mr Obama said in a statement.
'I do it today mindful that the situation in Afghanistan and Pakistan demands urgent attention and swift action.'
The new contingent is made up of 12,000 soldiers and 5,000 support staff.
The deployment provides two of three extra combat brigades requested by the top US and NATO commander in Afghanistan, General David McKiernan.
The units had originally been scheduled to go to Iraq.
Mr Obama said he had approved a request by Defence Secretary Robert Gates to deploy a Marine Expeditionary Brigade in the spring, and an Army Stryker Brigade and support forces later this summer.
The White House said some 17,000 troops will be deployed to Afghanistan ahead of Afghan elections scheduled for 20 August, significantly building up the 38,000-strong US force already on the ground battling a growing insurgency.
Asked about possible future troop deployment orders, a senior administration official said they were unlikely to come before an ongoing comprehensive review of US strategy in Afghanistan and Pakistan was completed.
RTE