Army Combat Tours Expected to Be Cut From 15 to 12 Months in Iraq and Afghanistan

WASHINGTON  —  President Bush is expected to announce next week that Army tours in Iraq and Afghanistan will be reduced from 15 to 12 months, FOX News has confirmed.

A senior U.S. official told FOX News Friday that Bush will make the announcement April 10 after Gen. David Petraeus and Ryan Crocker, U.S. ambassador to Iraq, testify on Capitol Hill.

The shorter tours are unlikely to go into effect until after July, when the final surge brigades are withdrawn.