Missouri National Guard to see no effect from Iraq troop drawdown
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Missouri National Guard to see no effect from Iraq troop drawdown

Date: August 31, 2010
By: Theo Keith
State Capitol Bureau
Links: Obama to make Aug. 31 televised speech on the war: Washington Post link

Intro:  Missouri's National Guardsmen deployed in Iraq will not be returning home early, even as President Obama draws down forces there.
RunTime:  0:37
OutCue:  SOC

Wrap: Missouri has about 700 Guardsmen in the Middle East, but only about 25 in Iraq.

State National Guard spokeswoman Tammy Spicer says they're sticking to their regular tours of duty.

Actuality:  SPICER1.WAV
Run Time:  00:06
Description: "Any effects of the higher levels don't affect our Missouri National Guard members. They serve when they're asked to serve."

Spicer says the Missouri Guardsmen in Iraq work in aviation and criminal investigation.

There are now about 50,000 Americans serving in Iraq, down from a high of 170,000 three years ago.

Starting Wednesday, the remaining troops can't go into combat unless the Iraqis specifically ask for them.

From the state Capitol, I'm Theo Keith, Newsradio 1120 KMOX.