Top brass: Military spread too thin

Leaders of the U.S. Pacific and European commands said yesterday the war on terrorism has overtaxed troops and equipment, leaving dangerous shortages that ultimately could hurt Americans.
The commanders were asked whether they had enough forces to carry out all current operations as well as possible military action against Iraq, and their answers were "very troubling," said Rep. Ike Skelton, Missouri Democrat, who asked the question.
"We do not have adequate forces to carry out our missions for the Pacific if the operations in [Afghanistan] continue at their recent past and current pace," Navy Adm. Dennis C. Blair, commander in chief of the Pacific Command, told the House Armed Services Committee.