Troop rotation to Iraq continues

0 Comments | US Air Force Press Releases, Apr 01, 2004 | by Jim Garamone

4/1/2004 - WASHINGTON (AFPN) -- The largest rotation of U.S. forces since World War II continues in Iraq, Defense Department officials said March 31.

In all, more than 250,000 U.S. servicemembers are affected.

Planning for the rotation began months ago. New units worked with units already in Iraq to learn their mission and plan the movement. In December, the units began flowing into the region and began the relief-in-place process.

Officials said they expect the rotation to continue through May, when 110,000 U.S. servicemembers will be in place. They will replace the 130,000 Americans who have been serving in the region. When the rotation is complete, about 80,000 Soldiers, 25,000 Marines and 5,000 Airmen and Sailors will be in Iraq.

To date, about 95 percent of the servicemembers deploying to Iraq have arrived in the region. More than 90 percent of the cargo has arrived, and more than 60 percent of the people returning home have done so.

While the number of American forces is dropping, Iraqi troops will more than make up the cut, officials said. A new Iraqi army brigade should be operational by the time the coalition returns sovereignty to an Iraqi government June 30. In addition, units of the Iraqi civil defense corps will work with the units. More than 210,000 Iraqis are involved in security work in the country, officials said.