Two of the units will be full combat brigades heading to Iraq — between next summer and into 2009, to serve as part of the rotation with active duty troops. There are currently 20 combat brigades in Iraq, but under plans mapped out by President Bush and his top commanders, that number will gradually drop to 15 next year, as the U.S. reduces its troop presence there.

Sound ominous,

replacing regular troops with Guards units would free up those regulars for what purpose i wonder

I don't see it as freeing them, more like giving them a rest. But guards units are not the same as regular troops (regardless of all the hype) they tend to be older, with far less training and many times use outdated equipment. Relying on guard units was seen as a way to stop Presidents from misusing the voluntary services, but alas....

I still find it amusing (read: "sad") that the 9/11 attacks origonated from AQ and the Taliban (mainly from Afghanistan), however, the US still concentrates the VAST majority of its troops on Iraq.

Afghanistan is still in a state of turmoil and was in even worse shape when the US pulled the majority of its attention (and troops) from the region to attack & invade Iraq.

Meanwhile, its left to Canada & the Dutch (and other countries) to try an stabalize the mess that the US left.

Just sayin'...