This story originally ran in the July 27, 2006, issue of the News-Miner.
Military commanders in Iraq are considering extending the deployment of the 172nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team from Fort Wainwright as part of a plan to increase forces in Baghdad to quell violence in the capital, a senior Defense Department official told The Associated Press.
Alaska Gov. Frank Murkowski on Wednesday confirmed for Alaska media that the brigade’s homecoming may be postponed.
“I received a call today that there was a likelihood that a decision could be made to extend the deployment of the remaining 172nd Stryker Brigade soldiers from Fort Wainwright serving in Iraq,” Murkowski said. “That decision is not yet official but could be shortly.”
A video conference with brigade commanders in Iraq was scheduled for last night, Alaska time, with people at Fort Wainwright to discuss a possible change in plans for the brigade. The suddenness of the possibility of a redeployment threw emotions akilter for the brigade’s families, turning the night into a rush of phone calls and e-mail postings searching for information.
News of the potential delay came as the brigade’s return to Alaska was under way. Some of the nearly 4,000 troops from the brigade have already returned, though most are still in Iraq. Others are scheduled to arrive later this week and early next month. About 280 soldiers returned to Fort Wainwright early Tuesday in the first major homecoming of the brigade’s main body. Members of the brigade’s advance team have already come home.
The Defense Department official, who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the discussions are not final, said Wednesday that the proposal to delay the brigade’s return has not been presented to Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld.
Maj. Kurt Gohlke, spokesman for the Army in Alaska, also said that no official decision had been made as of Wednesday afternoon.
“Until the secretary of defense announces otherwise, we’re moving ahead with redeployment plans,” he said. “We have no decisions to indicate that they’re going to be delayed.”
Any announcement of a delay would have to come first from the Multi-National Force in Iraq, Gohlke said.
Sgt. Jeremy Pitcher, staffing the public affairs desk at 2 a.m. today in Iraq, said no information was available.
“There is no announcement. As of right now we cannot confirm anything,” he said. “Obviously as we get that information we will put it out on our Web site.”
Rumsfeld must approve any deployments that exceed 365 days. He has approved such extensions in the past, including several last fall when U.S. forces were increased to deal with violence at the time of the Iraqi elections.
President Bush broadly outlined a plan to increase U.S. and Iraqi forces in Baghdad during a visit Tuesday to Washington by Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki. The details of the plan are being worked out, Pentagon officials said.
In news articles about al-Maliki’s visit, The New York Times and Washington Post both reported Wednesday that Stryker brigades would be sent to Baghdad.
Iraq currently has only two Stryker brigades–the 172nd from Fort Wainwright and the 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division from Fort Lewis, Wash.
The 3rd Brigade began leaving Fort Lewis for its second tour in Iraq starting in late June. The brigade, which was the Army’s first Stryker team, has about 4,000 troops, according to Tammy Reed, spokeswoman for the post.
It was not clear Wednesday how many troops from the 172nd could have their deployment extended or for how long.
Murkowski offered words of encouragement to the family members of those in the brigade.
“Although it is obviously a disruption to the soldiers and their families, affecting more than 4,000 people,” he said, “it is also gratifying that others have recognized what I have known all along: The Strykers have proven themselves to be one of the most effective forces our country has and are needed to combat the global war on terror, which in this case means the growing terrorist threat in Baghdad.”
Some members of Congress are asking for details on the plan to shore up Baghdad.
Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., in a letter to Rumsfeld, asked him to clarify how many U.S. forces are being sent to Baghdad and whether units in Iraq will have to extend their deployment.
“It is essential that the administration be completely straightforward about the situation in Iraq, particularly when it comes to U.S. troops being put in harm’s way,” Kerry said.
He said it appears U.S troops “are clearly not standing down as Iraqi security forces stand up.”