US Department of Defense,
The U.S. Defense Department says it has notified 35,000 more troops to prepare to deploy to Iraq as soon as August.
Pentagon spokesman Bryan Whitman said Tuesday the replacement forces will allow commanders to maintain a buildup of U.S. forces in Iraq through the end of the year if needed.
Whitman said 10 army units, known as combat brigades, have been told to deploy between August and December.
Earlier this year, President Bush ordered 30,000 additional troops to Iraq for a security crackdown. U.S. officials say military leaders will decide in September whether the buildup has been successful and if it should continue.
DoD Announces Force Adjustments
The Department of Defense announced today additional major units scheduled to deploy in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. The announcement involves 10 brigade combat teams consisting of approximately 35,000 personnel.
These units will deploy as replacement forces for formations currently operating in Iraq. The deployment window for these units will begin in August 2007 and continue through the end of the year.
These deployments will provide commanders in Iraq the flexibility to maintain the appropriate level of effort based on their assessment of the security situation on the ground.
Specific units receiving deployment orders include:
– 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, Fort Hood, Texas.
– 1st Brigade, 101st Airborne Division, Fort Campbell, Ky.
– 3rd Brigade, 101st Airborne Division, Fort Campbell, Ky.
– 2nd Brigade, 101st Airborne Division, Fort Campbell, Ky.
– 4th Brigade, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Polk, La.
– 1st Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Hood, Texas.
– 4th Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Ga.
– 2nd Brigade, 25th Infantry Division, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii
– 2nd Cavalry Regiment (Stryker), Vilseck, Germany.
– 2nd Brigade, 1st Armored Division, Baumholder, Germany.
These deployments reflect the continued commitment of the United States to the security of the Iraqi people. The Department recognizes the continued sacrifices of these units and their family members.
DoD will continue to announce major unit deployments as units are identified and given deployment orders.
