More Fort Bliss Troops Come Home From Iraq
EL PASO — Hundreds of troops returning fromIraq arrived atBiggs Army Airfield on Monday.
The troops were the latest of the 4th Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division to be reunited with their families over the past few days. Many of the soldiers had served 15 monthsin support oftroops facing combat.
Sergeant Alejandra Mendoza, who came home Sunday, said she wasthrilled to be back, even though she had to go through tight security on the flight home.
“They checked everything you could have thought of,” she said. “And some things you wouldn’t’ve thought of.”
More than 1,000 troops have arrived home at Fort Bliss since Wednesday. Most are being debriefed and will get to enjoy some time off before taking onnew duties, military officials said.
As security improves in Iraq, pressure is building to reverse one of the most onerous decisions Defense Secretary Robert Gates made to enable President Bush’s troop buildup to go forward this year: extending the tours of active-duty soldiers from 12 months to 15 months.
The extra three months is a weighty burden, both physically and psychologically, for soldiers already stressed by multiple tours, and on families coping with strains that have mounted since the war began in 2003.
Army leaders are pushing to shorten tour lengths back to 12 months by summer, when Bush’s troop buildup is scheduled to end. But senior commanders in Baghdad appear reluctant to commit to a change until perhaps late next year, fearing that Iraqi stability still will be in doubt until that point.
