Citing a NATO request for additional forces, the Defense Department announced that 3,200 Marines will head to Afghanistan sometime this spring for a seven-month deployment. Pentagon officials were clear that the move was temporary and reflected no major policy change regarding a longer-term increased U.S. presence in the theater. The deployment “is for a very finite period of time,” said Geoff Morrell, the Pentagon press secretary, during a Jan. 15 press conference. “We’ve made it clear. This is seven months. This is a one-time deal; that’s it.” NATO officials had asked for additional help, in anticipation for a possible spring offensive by the Taliban. The Marines’ presence will increase the total of U.S. forces in Afghanistan to about 30,000. The Camp Lejeune, N.C.-based 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) will provide the largest contingent, with some 2,200 Marines. Another 1,000 will come from the 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, based at the Marine Corps Air-Ground Combat Center at Twentynine Palms, Calif.