Petraeus Annoucement Doesn't Affect Local Soldiers

Local soldiers here in Evansville are already preparing to head to Iraq. The 163rd Field Artillery Unit was notified last spring theyre in line to go back to Iraq possibly by the beginning of next year. How does General Petraeus announcement affect them? They havent even been home for a year - but already the men and women of the 163rd are training for another tour of duty. "Well be doing more like what our unit who just got back did with security military police style role," says Executive Officer Major Mark Weaver. Last April they learned theyre on the wait list to go back to Iraq. Right now theyre waiting for their for their mobilization order. Its the same time the top commander in Iraq is recommending lowering the number of troops in the country. General David Petraeus says US troops should go back to pre-surge numbers by next summer, leaving only about 130,000 soldiers in Iraq. The withdrawals could start right about the time the 163rd heads back over. "Its not going to affect us. I would be surprised if it did." Major Weaver says these recommendations are geared at long term strategy." "The trickle down takes awhile before it happens." Anywhere from 150 to all 453 soldiers of the 163rd could go back for another year long tour of duty. So rather worrying about the comments coming out of Washington DC, "Im focused on getting this unit ready and we do what we have to do." Major Weaver says they still dont know exactly when theyre heading over or where specifically theyre going. Coming up tomorrow on FOX 7 News at 6:30, hear what some of our local leaders, including 8th District Congressman Brad Ellsworth, have to say about Petraeus recommendations.