Rotations Are Way to Cut Troops in Iraq

" By LOLITA C. BALDOR – 4 hours ago

WASHINGTON (AP) — As military units move in and out of Iraq over the next six months, the planned rotations provide commanders with opportunities to reduce troop levels. One chance could come as early as January. Gen. David Petraeus, the top commander in Iraq, has yet to lay out his recommendations for a future war strategy. But improving security conditions in western Anbar province could allow a brigade or Marine unit there to head home after the first of the year without being replaced."

More... The Associated Press: Rotations Are Way to Cut Troops in Iraq:

The 15 combat brigades now deployed to Iraq on regular rotations are:

_1st Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, Texas.

_2nd Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood.

_2nd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, Fort Carson, Colo.

_2nd Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, based at Schweinfurt, Germany

_3rd Brigade, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C.

_3rd Stryker Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, Fort Lewis, Wash.

_3rd Brigade, 25th Infantry Division, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii.

_3rd Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood.

_4th Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood.

_2nd Brigade, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, N.Y.

_4th Brigade, 25th Infantry Division, Fort Richardson, Alaska.

_1st Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Ga.

_1st Brigade, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg.

_2nd Marine Regimental Combat Team, Camp LeJeune, N.C.

_6th Marine Regimental Combat Team, Camp LeJeune.

The five combat brigades ordered to Iraq as part of Bush's 30,000-troop buildup are, in order of their deployment:

_2nd Brigade, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg.

_4th Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, Fort Riley, Kan.

_3rd Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart.

_4th Stryker Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, Fort Lewis.

_2nd Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart.