At the end of March, a group of us were fortunate to be able to interview Brig. Gen. Ralph O. Baker, United States Division – Center Deputy Commanding General East, for a Bloggers’ Roundtable. He was able to provide an update on the current and future force status for U.S. troops in Iraq.

The current goal in Iraq is to have only 50,000 troops in country by September 1, 2010. Baker told us that we presently have 11 brigade combat teams in the country and about 97,000 troops. The goal for September 1 is six, configured as the new “advise and assist“ brigades.

I asked about the personnel for these new AAB’s. The General said that they would be a typical BCT, but with and additional 40-50 field grade officers. These officers are intended to bolster support activities in the areas of planning, synchronization and coordination where the Iraqis need additional assistance. The AAB’s also bring additional intelligence and logistics experts to strengthen the support in those areas, as well.

General Baker emphasized that the main difference with the new AAB’s is their training before deployment. Emphasis is placed on combat training but added training on civil affairs and the higher level military staff activities is also included.

The transcript of this interview can be found here.

Have you read this in your paper? Nope. The third of five surge brigades will be coming home in the next several weeks. Umm… misson accomplished!

Approximately, 3,500 Soldiers from the 3rd Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division are redeploying to Fort Benning, Georgia, in the next several weeks.

The 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team deployed in March 2007 to secure the Mada’in Qada in Baghdad Province east of the Diyala River.

The brigade was one of five units deployed in support of the surge.

The 3rd HBCT’s operations in Mada’in Qada helped improve the safety and quality of life for approximately 120,000 people living there. Its contributions over the last 14 months have led to improvements in security and the capture of more than 600 criminals, numerous cache finds, and a remarkably lower number of attacks in the area.

The improvements in security enabled merchants to reopen shops, and the local government to establish rule of law and employment through programs such as the Sons of Iraq.

“The 3rd HBCT, 3rd Infantry Division inherited battle space with a history of sparse security force presence prior to 2004,” said Brig. Gen. Dan Allyn, chief of staff, Multi-National Corps – Iraq. “Their aggressive efforts in partnership with the Iraqi Security Forces and comprehensive initiatives like the Sons of Iraq, successfully reduced sectarian violence and attacks against Coalition and Iraqi Security Forces, producing economic growth and restoration of essential services in Mada’in Qada.

“We are extremely proud of the Sledgehammer Brigade Soldiers, and their success in creating a safe and secure environment while instilling hope for the future within the people of Mada’in Qada,” Allyn said.

Many of the leaders in 3rd HBCT attribute their success to veterans of the Brigade. Nearly 65 percent of the Brigade’s Soldiers are serving their second or third deployment in Iraq.

“The mission given to us by Corps and Division was to interdict lethal accelerants coming into Baghdad,” said Col. Wayne W. Grigsby Jr. of Prince George County, Md., the commander of the 3rd HBCT. “I’d say we achieved mission success.”

Grigsby also feels his veterans’ professionalism was as important as their experience, bringing mentorship and confidence to newer Soldiers. This is the 3rd Brigade’s third tour in Iraq since January 2003.

The 3rd HBCT is the third of the surge Brigades to redeploy.

The remaining two brigades will redeploy by the end of July.

“The continued drawdown of surge Brigades demonstrates continued progress in Iraq. After July, commanders will assess our security posture for about 45 days and determine future force requirements based on these conditions-based assessments,” said Allyn.

MNF-I