U.S. Forces in Iraq
Abstract
Varying media estimates of military forces in Iraq have raised concerns about the actual number of troops deployed in Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF). As interest in troop level deployments continues, President Bush announced "a new strategy for Iraq" on January 10, 2007, including a planned gradual increase of more than 20,000 U.S. troops on the ground in Baghdad and Anbar province over several months. To accomplish this increase in part, Secretary of Defense Robert Gates announced on April 11, 2007, that all active-duty Army personnel in the U.S. Central Command area would now serve 15-month tours in the region, up from the previous 12-month rotations. This report provides solely Department of Defense (DoD) statistical information on U.S. forces serving in Iraq. It also provides brief official information on the military units scheduled for the next rotation of duty into Iraq. As of September 1, 2007, according to DoD, the United States had 165,607 troops stationed in Iraq -- 144,992 active component and 20,615 National Guard or Reserves. For security reasons, DoD does not routinely report the composition, size, or specific destination of military forces deployed to the Persian Gulf. This report will be updated upon receipt of new DoD data. For additional information on U.S. forces, see CRS Report RL31701, "Iraq: U.S. Military Operations," by Steve Bowman.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 20, 2007
- Accession Number
- ADA492948
Entities
People
- Joanne O'bryant
- Michael Waterhouse
Organizations
- Library of Congress