The Defense Department has approved a request for some 12,000 additional troops in Iraq to provide
security for the Iraqi elections. This will bring total strength to about 150,000, which will be the
largest to date. Increases will come from a combination of in-country extensions and additional
deployments. Units being extended: 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (2,300 troops); 2nd Brigade, 25th
Infantry Division (4,400); 2nd Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division (3,500); and the Army’s 66th Transportation
Company (160). Deploying for approximately 120 days will be two battalions from the 82nd Airborne
Division. The changes will increase the number of U.S. brigades in theater from 17 to 20, said an
official. General George Casey, Commander, Multi-National Forces-Iraq, requested the extensions to obtain
the most experienced and best-qualified forces to sustain the momentum of post-Fallujah operations and to
provide additional security for the elections. He also requested the two additional infantry battalions.