The Department of Defense announced today major units scheduled to deploy as part of upcoming rotations of forces operating in Afghanistan. The announcement involves one active duty brigade combat team and one Stryker cavalry regiment, totaling approximately 7,700 personnel, and one National Guard brigade with approximately 3,500 personnel. The scheduled rotation for these forces will begin in the spring of 2010.
Specific units receiving deployment orders include:
1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, Fort Campbell, Ky.
2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment, Vilseck, Germany
2nd Brigade Combat Team, 34th Infantry Division, Iowa National Guard
The spring rotation of the 1st BCT, 101st Airborne Division (3,700 personnel) and the 2nd SCR (4,000 personnel) continues the U.S. commitment to maintain the level of forces necessary to provide sufficient military capability for the NATO International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) to further improve security and stability operations.
The 2nd BCT, 34th Infantry Division will begin deploying in the fall of 2010 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom to continue ongoing operations and training of the Afghan National Security Forces. They are receiving alert orders now in order to provide them the maximum time to complete their preparations. It also provides a greater measure of predictability for family members and flexibility for employers to plan for military service of their employees.
Additionally, the Secretary of Defense approved a request by the Commander of U.S. Forces-Afghanistan to deploy MV-22 Ospreys from Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron-261 to support the needs of forces on the ground in Regional Command-South. This deployment will involve approximately 200 Marines, who will begin deploying in November of 2009.
In consultation with Afghan officials and NATO, commanders continue to assess the situation to ensure sufficient force levels to best support the Government of Afghanistan, perform counterterrorism operations, assist with reconstruction, and train and equip the Afghan national security forces. Afghan security forces continue to develop capability, and this U.S. force rotation may be tailored based upon changes in the security situation.
DoD will continue to announce major unit deployments as units are identified and alerted. For information on the brigade and regiment announced today, please contact Army Public Affairs at (703) 614-2487. For information on the Marine Task Force, please contact Marine Corps Division of Public Affairs at (703) 614-1492.
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