Wire: Obama to Send 17,000 More US Troops to Afghanistan

News in Balance:

EDITOR'S NOTE: The Pentagon has now commented on this story, President Barack Obama has ordered a Marine expeditionary brigade and an Army Stryker brigade combat team -- totaling 12,000 soldiers and Marines -- to Afghanistan. Approximately 5,000 additional troops to support these combat forces will receive deployment orders at a later date. Click here to read the update.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 17, 2009 -- The Associate Press reported Tuesday that President Barack Obama has approved adding about 17,000 U.S. troops for the war in Afghanistan, administration, defense and congressional officials said.

The Obama administration is expected to announce that it will send one additional Army brigade and an unknown number of Marines to Afghanistan this spring and summer. Officials spoke on condition of anonymity ahead of the official announcement.

About 8,000 Marines are expected to go in first, followed by about 9,000 Army troops.

Combat units can require at least their number or more in support forces.

(Report from commercial media sources.)

Source: AP: Obama OKs about 17,000 more troops for Afghanistan

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