US Defense Secretary Robert Gates announced on Wednesday
extensions of duty tours for all active-duty Army troops in Iraq
and Afghanistan from 12 months to 15 months.
"Effective immediately, active army units now in the Central
Command area (Iraq and Afghanistan) and those headed there will
deploy for not more than 15 months and will return home to home
station for not less than 12 months," Gates told reporters at a
Pentagon briefing.
US Marine troops, National Guards and other reservists serving
in the two war zones are not affected by the new order, he
added.
"This policy is a difficult but necessary interim step," Gates
said, noting that it was aimed to maintain the ongoing military
buildup in Iraq.
US analysts said the new plan will surely be unwelcome news to
soldiers who have already had two and sometimes three deployments
in Iraq.
However, there seems to be a good side for it, since Gates said
the new policy also seeks to ensure that all active-duty Army units
get at least 12 months at home between deployments.
"I think it is fair to all soldier that all share the burden
equally," he said.
Gates acknowledged that the prolonged conflicts in Iraq and
Afghanistan are further stretching the military and compounding
burdens on their families.
He said "our forces are stretched, there's no question about
that."
The latest decision reflected the painful situation the US
military is facing in order to meet US President George W. Bush's
goal to send 30,000 additional troops to Iraq and maintain that
buildup.
According to Bush's plan, US troop levels in Iraq will grow to
more than 160,000 once the "surge" is completed.
News reports say US commanders in Iraq want the increased level
to be sustained at least through this summer.
(Xinhua News Agency April 12, 2007)
