White House Authorized 13,000 Support Troops for Afghanistan

2 years ago

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Washington Reporter

In a move not previously announced by the White House, the Pentagon is deploying 13,000 support troops to Afghanistan, the Washington Post reported Tuesday. In March, President Obama announced a troop increase of 21,000, but has not mentioned this additional number, which will put the total U.S. force increase in Afghanistan at 34,000. White House and Pentagon spokesmen differed on when exactly the increase in support troops was authorized, but it was clear that Obama made the call and that the additional number was not part of the original authorization.

The support personnel are mostly doctors, engineers and military police. Defense experts said the military typically calls for thousands of support troops for every combat brigade of about 4,000. Support troops are often in high demand, and, the Post noted, still needed badly in Iraq.

Support Troops Swelling U.S. Force in Afghanistan [Washington Post]

Filed Under: Foreign Policy, Obama Administration, Afghanistan

Tagged: afghanistan, afghanistan war, AfghanistanWar, daily guidance, DailyGuidance

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