I think we can get bipartisan agreement on the crappy nature of this move.
On July 26th, the men and women of the 172nd Stryker Combat Brigade prepared to end their unit’s deployment to Iraq. This unit of 3,800 Americans had endured the fight for a year, distinguishing itself as an essential and effective factor in bringing stability to the North of Iraq. A small number of the brigade had taken the first steps back on U.S. soil, arriving to their base near Fairbanks, Alaska, while many others were already in Kuwait waiting to board homebound planes. With these successes behind them, their flak vests packed, personal items sent stateside, and their Stryker Armored Vehicles turned over to other newly-arrived units, this battle brigade was able to breathe a sigh of relief and prepare to Go Home.
The following day, Secretary of Defense Rumsfeld gave his approval to extend the 172nd Brigade’s deployment in Iraq. Instead of greeting their loved ones, the Strykers will help to fight the insurgency in Baghdad, a city occupied by garrisoned American soldiers for nearly 3.5 years.
On August 14th, 301 of the 378 soldiers who had made it back to Alaska for a brief time were sent back to Iraq to join their unit.
These men and women apparently demonstrated that the Stryker Vehicle, worried to be a boondoggle was actually reasonably effective.
No good deed goes unpunished.
Army recalling 300 troops to Iraq who just arrived home in Alaska
About 300 Alaska-based soldiers sent home from Iraq just before their unit’s deployment was extended
Why does Rumsfeld hate our troops?
I’m pissed because we’re going to have Stryker maneuvers going on here. It’s someone’s big moneymaker, as I have explained on my blog.
If Mr. Magoo has his way, your Selective Service cards just might be selected for your service.
I understand he prefers to be known as the Executive Assistant of Defense instead of Secretary.
The comment above by Duros62 is interesting. My Googling fails to locate his blog. However, one day after the 300 troops who had made it back to Alaska were U-turned back to Iraq, an article about a $38 mil contract for contractors servicing the Stryker Brigade hit the wire. It went to General Dynamics. This may be what Duros62 refers to by mentioning his blog, but I can’t find his blog. The report on General Dynamics is here:
http://tinyurl.com/o9nha