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25 December 2005

U.S. Troop Levels in Iraq Will Likely Drop in 2006, General Says

Pace says facts on the ground will drive decisions, cites high troop morale

By Bernie Chabel
Washington File Special Correspondent

Washington -- U.S. military leaders will adjust the level of U.S. forces in Iraq in 2006 based on events in that country and the growing readiness of Iraqi forces, General Peter Pace, chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, said December 25.

Appearing on Fox News Sunday, Pace said that in 2006 the Pentagon likely would make a number of announcements on troop-size adjustments in Iraq and the reasons for the adjustments.  But, he cautioned, "The enemy has a vote on this."

"If the enemy causes some kind of problems requiring more troops, we will do what we have in the past and give the commanders on the ground what they need," he said.  "And, in that case, you could see troop levels go up a little bit to handle that problem."

Overall, he said, the Pentagon envisions that as "more Iraqi units stand up, we will be able to bring our [troop levels] down" and turn over more territory to Iraqi forces.

If Americans were to look at a color-coded map of troop deployments in 2006 they would "see the map and watch the colors change" as Iraqi battalions take over for U.S. forces, Pace said.

The Defense Department on December 23 announced details of troop deployment changes in Iraq in 2006.  Total U.S. combat brigades deployed in Iraq will be cut back from 17 to 15, and the total troop reduction of 7,000 will be made from the level of 138,000 troops before the December 15 Iraqi elections for a Council of Representatives, according to the statement. (See related article.)

Pace also said that the morale of troops in Iraq and Afghanistan was high. He said the re-enlistment rate of U.S. troops serving in those two countries "are the highest of all our armed forces."

"They know what they are doing is appreciated by the Iraqi and Afghan people," Pace said.

The troops "understand what they are doing and want to continue to do it," he added.

For additional information on U.S. policies, see Iraq Update.

(The Washington File is a product of the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)