DoD Announces Unit for Upcoming Afghanistan Rotation
May 19, 2008

The Department of Defense announced today that the 86th Brigade Combat Team, Vermont Army National Guard, has been alerted to deploy in support of Operation Enduring Freedom to continue training of the Afghan National Security Forces. The majority of the approximately 3,100 service members alerted will deploy in the spring of 2010. The department has alerted the unit of this deployment to give the soldiers the maximum time possible to conduct training specific to Afghanistan as well as provide predictability for family members and employers.

This unit will maintain the current U.S. capability for performing the training mission. This rotation reflects the continued U.S. commitment to Afghanistan and development of the Afghan National Security Forces. Afghan forces continue to improve capability and assume responsibility for security. Force levels in Afghanistan continue to be conditions-based, and are determined based on the recommendations of military commanders in Afghanistan and in consultation with the government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan.

DoD will continue to announce major unit deployments as the units are identified and alerted. For information on the units announced today, please contact the Vermont National Guard Public Affairs Office, at (802) 338-3324.