The Department of Defense announced Feb. 14 that the 173rd Airborne Brigade, located in Vicenza, Italy, will deploy to Afghanistan starting in spring 2007. The brigade was previously scheduled to deploy for Operation Iraqi Freedom. It’s replacement in Iraq will be announced as units are identified and alerted, said DoD officials. The deployment to Afghanistan, which affects approximately 3,200 Soldiers, will provide a replacement for the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, which was recently extended for up to 120 days. DoD announced on Feb. 16 the accelerated deployment of the 3rd Infantry Division headquarters, based in Fort Stewart, Ga., to Iraq. The headquarters was previously alerted Nov. 17, 2006, for deployment to begin in June 2007, but now will commence its deployment in March 2007. This three-month acceleration affects approximately 1,000 service members. For more information, contact Army Public Affairs at (703) 692-2000.