WASHINGTON, Jan. 25 (UPI) -- The U.S. Department of Defense announced which brigades will comprise the 21,500 additional troops President Bush plans to send to Iraq.
According to a Pentagon announcement, the Secretary of Defense decided to reposition, extend deployment, and push forward the deployment of a number of brigades.
The 2nd Brigade, 82nd Airborne Division, based at Fort Bragg, N.C., will move into Iraq and assume a security mission there. The brigade is currently assigned as the call-forward force in Kuwait.
The mission of the 1st Brigade, 34th Infantry Division, Minnesota Army National Guard, will be extended for up to 125 days and will redeploy no later than August 2007.
As previously planned, the 4th Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, based at Ft. Riley, Kan., will deploy in February 2007.
Three other Army combat brigades will also deploy in the coming months: The 3rd Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, based at Ft. Benning, Ga., is set to deploy in March 2007. The 4th Stryker Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, based at Ft. Lewis, Wash., will deploy in April 2007. The 2nd Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, based at Ft. Stewart, Ga., is scheduled to deploy in May 2007.
In addition, the Marine Corps will extend two reinforced battalions for approximately 60 days, and the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) will remain in Iraq for approximately 45 additional days.
