U.S. Army May Have To Extend Afghan Deployments

General Ray Odierno (file photo)

The top U.S. Army general says he may be forced to extend deployments of soldiers in Afghanistan next year because budget cuts will drastically limit training for brigades who may have to replace them.

Army Chief of Staff General Raymond Odierno said the military will be able to fund training and operations for combat units in Afghanistan now and for those deploying in the summer and fall.

But he said there will be delays in training for those deploying in 2014.

He said that if he couldn't make up the training delays he would have to send forces that aren't ready, or extend deployments of units already there.

Based on reporting by AP and AFP