Most Marines to leave Iraq, soon?

pettyfog · Oct 14, 2007

NYT: Marines Press to Remove Their Forces From Iraq

WASHINGTON, Oct. 10 — The Marine Corps is pressing to remove its forces from Iraq and to send marines instead to Afghanistan, to take over the leading role in combat there, according to senior military and Pentagon officials.

The idea by the Marine Corps commandant would effectively leave the Iraq war in the hands of the Army while giving the Marines a prominent new role in Afghanistan, under overall NATO command.

The suggestion was raised in a session last week convened by Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates for the Joint Chiefs of Staff and regional war-fighting commanders. While still under review, its supporters, including some in the Army, argue that a realignment could allow the Army and Marines each to operate more efficiently in sustaining troop levels for two wars that have put a strain on their forces.

As described by officials who had been briefed on the closed-door discussion, the idea represents the first tangible new thinking to emerge since the White House last month endorsed a plan to begin gradual troop withdrawals from Iraq, but also signals that American forces likely will be in Iraq for years to come.

At the moment, there are no major Marine units among the 26,000 or so American forces in Afghanistan. In Iraq there are about 25,000 marines among the 160,000 American troops there.
. . .....
The Marine Corps has recently played the leading combat role in Anbar Province, the restive Sunni area west of Baghdad.

Gen. David H. Petraeus, the senior Army officer in Iraq, and his No. 2 commander, Lt. Gen. Raymond T. Odierno, also of the Army, have described Anbar Province as a significant success story, with local tribal leaders joining the fight against terrorists.

Both generals strongly hint that if the security situation in Anbar holds steady, then reductions of American forces can be expected in the province, which could free up Marine units to move elsewhere.
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From what I read, the Army is doing the necessary things in Anbar and other provinces to maintain the situation, and that the Marines are getting bored with it.

I bet it's announced within 2 months, at the latest.

YankeeJim · Oct 14, 2007

It would be great if we could find a solution & bring them all home. The concept of letting the Corp take over Afghanistan is a good one. I do believe that the average marine is better suited to war then is the average Army guy. Something about the way the Corp gets into a guy's head. Not to denigrate the Army in which I served but simply the type of person that seeks out & is sought by the Corp. The army has born a heavy burden after 8 years of neglect & down sizing by Clinton & now almost constant war for 5+ years. Why they didn't get the Nobel Peace Prize rather then Al Bore is more a sign of what the Nobel group has become rather then who has help preserve the peace.

Most Marines to leave Iraq, soon?

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Most Marines to leave Iraq, soon?

pettyfog Well-Known Member

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