DoD Announces Unit For Next Afghanistan Rotation
March 14, 2008

The Department of Defense announced today that the 3rd Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, based in Fort Hood, Texas, is scheduled to deploy as part of the next rotation operating in Afghanistan. This announcement involves approximately 3,500 service members, and their deployment is scheduled to begin in late summer 2008.

This brigade will replace one active duty brigade currently on the ground, and continues the current U.S. commitment to providing two brigade combat teams in support of Regional Command East.

In consultation with Afghan officials and NATO, commanders continue to assess the situation to ensure sufficient force levels to best support the Government of Afghanistan, perform counter-terrorism operations, assist with reconstruction, and train and equip the Afghan national security forces. Afghan security forces continue to develop capability and assume responsibility for security, and this U.S. force rotation may be tailored based upon changes in the security situation.

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