DoD Announces Units for Upcoming Operation Iraqi Freedom Rotation
July 28, 2009

The Department of Defense announced today the alert of replacement forces scheduled to deploy in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. The announcement involves one brigade and one division headquarters from the Army National Guard consisting of approximately 3,600 personnel.

Specific units alerted are:

• 36th Division Headquarters, Texas Army National Guard
• 197th Fires Brigade, New Hampshire Army National Guard

The units will replace redeploying units, with no increase in overall force levels. They are currently scheduled to begin their deployment between the fall and winter of 2010 and are receiving alert orders now in order to provide the maximum time to complete preparations. It also provides a greater measure of predictability for family members and flexibility for employers to plan for military service of their employees.

The deployed headquarters unit consists of approximately 800 personnel and will provide command and control, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities in support of security operations in Iraq.

The brigade, which consists of approximately 2,800 personnel, will deploy to Kuwait and be assigned security force tasks to assure freedom of movement and continuity of operations in Iraq. Those tasks will include base defense and route security in Iraq and Kuwait.

This announcement reflects the continued commitment of the United States to the security of the Iraqi people.

DoD will continue to announce major unit deployments as they are identified and those units are alerted. For information on the supporting units for this deployment, please contact New Hampshire National Guard Public Affairs at (603) 225-1340 or Texas National Guard Public Affairs at (512) 782-5165.