As a result of the president’s Iraq strategy review, the Department of Defense announced Jan. 11 an increase of 20,000 U.S. military forces for Operation Iraqi Freedom. Specifics:
The 2nd Brigade, 82nd Airborne Division, based at Fort Bragg, N.C., and currently assigned as the call forward force in Kuwait, will move into Iraq to assume a security mission;
The 1st Brigade, 34th Infantry Division, Minnesota Army National Guard, will be extended in its current mission for up to 125 days and will redeploy not later than August 2007;
The 4th Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, based at Ft. Riley, Kan., will deploy in February 2007 as previously announced;
The 3rd Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, based at Ft. Benning, Ga., will 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., will deploy in May 2007;
Two reinforced Marine infantry battalions will be extended for approximately 60 days (see following item);
The 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) will remain in Iraq for approximately 45 additional days;
The USS Stennis Carrier Strike Group and the 3rd Battalion, 43rd Air Defense Regiment will deploy to the region to bolster security; and
Other combat-support and combat-service-support units may also be deployed as necessary once new requirements are assessed.
