Iraq Force Adjustments Set

The Defense Department has canceled deployment to Iraq of portions of the 1st Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, based at Fort Riley, Kan. Certain elements of the brigade, however, will deploy to provide security forces and conduct transition training for Iraqi Security Forces. DoD also has modified the deployment plan of the 2nd Brigade, 1st Armored Division, based in Baumholder, Germany. That brigade will be staged in Kuwait as a “call-forward” force for U.S. Central Command. The actions will reduce U.S. force levels in Iraq by about two combat brigade-equivalents, equaling some 7,000 troops, which will shrink the number of U.S. combat brigades from 17 to 15. The size and composition of the U.S. force in Iraq will fluctuate as focus shifts from combat operations to training and supporting the Iraqi Security Forces. The effect could reduce the forces in Iraq by the Spring of 2006 below the 138,000 baseline.