Troop 'Surge' More of a 'Trickle'

One of the reinforcing combat brigades is not scheduled to deploy to the chaotic country until May of 2007 — some five months after the president's dramatic Jan. 10 official announcement of the shift in policy.

As a result of the president's Iraq strategy review, the Department of Defense quietly released on Thursday the particulars of the surge of some 21,500 U.S. military forces for Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Three Army combat brigades will deploy as follows, say officials:

The Third Brigade, Third Infantry Division, based at Ft. Benning, Ga., will deploy in March 2007.

The Fourth Stryker Brigade, Second Infantry Division, based at Ft. Lewis, Wash., will deploy in April 2007.

The Second Brigade, Third Infantry Division, based at Ft. Stewart, Ga., will deploy in May 2007.