6,000 LA and MS N.Guard in Iraq; Pentagon says we have "adequate units" [View All]

I posted this in LBN yesterday, but in light of today's developments and context, I thought I'd repost it in GD. Buried in this AP article titled "Bush Promises Post-Storm Help For Victims" is this tidbit. At least it is in there, I guess... Pentagon spokesman says the states have 'adequate' units, despite the fact that this is a major disaster already and that the extent of the disaster is not yet clear (adequate is not given in the article as a direct quote, but why would the reporter have used that word otherwise?).

http://ap.tbo.com/ap/breaking/MGBFW9SFZCE.html

- snip -

Some 6,000 National Guard personnel from Louisiana and Mississippi who would otherwise be available to help deal with the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina are in Iraq.

Even so, Pentagon spokesman Lawrence Di Rita said the states have adequate National Guard units to handle the hurricane needs, with at least 60 percent of the guard available in each state. He said about 6,500 National Guard troops were available in Louisiana, about 7,000 in Mississippi, nearly 10,000 in Alabama and about 8,200 in Florida.

The First U.S. Army, based at Fort Gillem near Atlanta, has 1,600 National Guard troops who were already there training to go to Iraq, and they will be available to assist the states or evacuate Camp Shelby in Mississippi, if necessary.

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As Bumblebee pointed out yesterday, the delay in bringing National Guard units from other states, will most assuredly result in more victims.