Surge Numbers Approach 30,000

March, 16, 2007— -- The early deployment of an additional Army aviation brigade to Iraq means the surge of additional U.S. forces into the country now approaches 30,000 troops.

The original estimate of 21,500 ground combat troops making up the surge into Baghdad and Al Anbar Province has been steadily rising these past weeks.

The increase reflects the reality of providing logistical support to the 21,500 ground combat troops originally estimated as making up the surge.

Some 2,600 soldiers from the 3rd Infantry Division's Aviation Brigade will now deploy to Iraq in May, 45 days ahead of schedule.

The unit will provide transport helicopters and gun ships to assist ground brigades when they arrive in Iraq. There are currently three other Army aviation brigades serving in Iraq.

Last month, Pentagon officials, including Defense Secretary Robert Gates, downplayed a Congressional Budget Office estimate that the surge would require an additional 28,000 "enablers," saying a more realistic number would be around 2,400.

But that number has risen to between 7,000 and 8,000 in recent weeks because of additional troop requests by Gen. David Petraeus, the new commander of U.S. forces in Iraq.

Shortly after taking command last month, Petraeus asked for 2,200 additional military policemen to deal with the anticipated spike in the number of insurgent detainees as the surge progresses.

He also asked for "additional lift" capability for the growing number of combat brigades in the Baghdad area. Sending the aviation brigade earlier in May would provide greater flexibility for the additional combat troops that would have completed the surge into Baghdad by then.

A Defense official said there are no other pending requests for more troops to assist with the surge, but it is preparing for additional requests if they come.

According to former Acting Army Chief of Staff and ABC News consultant Jack Keane, the additional support troops are necessary for the fight. "Those combat brigades do not perform without the support troops that they need. We're talking about aviation, intelligence, military police, engineers, communicators."