DoD Announces Force Adjustments
July 31, 2007

The Department of Defense announced today additional major units scheduled to deploy in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. The announcement involves three brigade or regimental combat teams and one Marine expeditionary force headquarters consisting of approximately 20,000 personnel.

These deployments are not associated with the current troop surge. The units are part of a normal rotation of forces to replace formations currently on the ground. The deployment window for these units will begin at the end of this year and continue into 2008.

These deployments will provide commanders in Iraq the flexibility to maintain the appropriate level of effort based on their assessment of the security situation on the ground.

Specific units receiving deployment orders include:

• I Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters, Camp Pendleton, Calif.
• Regimental Combat Team 1, Camp Pendleton, Calif.
• Regimental Combat Team 5, Camp Pendleton, Calif.
• 3rd Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Carson, Colo.

These deployments reflect the continued commitment of the United States to the security of the Iraqi people. The Department recognizes the continued sacrifices of these units and their family members.

DoD will continue to announce major unit deployments as units are identified and given deployment orders. For information on the units announced today or other units involved in this rotation, please contact Army Public Affairs at (703) 692-2000 or Marine Corps Public Affairs at (703) 614-4309.