34,000 More Troops To Afghanistan

It will be interesting to see how President Obama presents this case to the American public and to Congress.  The mission in Afghanistan is worthy of our involvement, and the strategy vital to be understood by the public for success.  I have faith in Obama and his team in getting this job completed.  The stakes in this region of the world are too great to fail.

Pentagon planners expect orders to send about 34,000 more troops to Afghanistan, a defense official told CNN, a day after the president’s final meeting to decide the next moves in Afghanistan.

The military has planning under way to send three U.S. Army brigades, totaling about 15,000 troops; a Marine brigade, about 8,000 troops; a headquarters element, about 7,000 troops; and between 4,000 and 5,000 support troops — a total of approximately 34,000 troops, according to a defense official with direct knowledge of Pentagon operations. CNN reported last month that this was the preferred option within the Pentagon.

Pentagon planners have been tasked with preparing for this option with the expectation that is the number the president is leaning toward, said the defense official with direct knowledge of the process. The official insisted Tuesday there is no final word yet.

The troops would be divided up in various locations around the country, mainly focusing in the south and southeast parts where much of the fighting is.

Currently, brigades from Fort Drum in New York and Fort Campbell in Kentucky are among those that are next in line to deploy.