Army Immediately Begins Implementing DoD Force Adjustments for Iraq

, As a result of the President's Iraq strategy review, the Secretary of Defense directed today an increase in forces for Operation Iraqi Freedom. This announcement will result in a potential increase in Army troop presence in Iraq of more than 20,000 personnel by May. This plus-up will give commanders in Iraq the capability to employ up to 20 brigades to assist in achieving stability and security. 
 
The Army has an enduring commitment to serving the Nation and is committed to providing Combatant Commanders and civil authorities the capabilities and forces they require to accomplish their missions. As part of this new strategy, some Army units will be extended and some units scheduled to deploy will deploy earlier than planned. 
 
Specific requests for forces for this increase include:  
 
1. The 2nd Brigade, 82nd Airborne Division, based in Fort Bragg, N.C., and currently assigned as the call-forward force in Kuwait, will move into Iraq and assume a security mission there this month.  
 
2. The 1st Brigade, 34th Infantry Division of the Minnesota Army National Guard, composed of Army National Guard soldiers from several states and currently stationed in Iraq, will have its tour there extended until August 2007.  
 
3. The 4th Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, based in Fort Riley, Kan., will deploy as scheduled in early February 2007, but about three days earlier than previously planned.  
 
4. The 3rd Battalion, 43rd Air Defense Artillery Regiment, a Patriot Missile battalion, will return to the Persian Gulf region in February. 
 
Additionally, the following units have been placed on deployment orders and the Army will continue to focus manning, training and equipping these units for full spectrum operations in Iraq:  
 
1. The 3rd Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, based at Fort Benning, Ga., will deploy in March.  
 
2. The 4th Stryker Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, based at Fort Lewis, Wash., will deploy in April.  
 
3. The 2nd Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, based at Fort Stewart, Ga., will deploy in May. 
 
Other Army combat-support and combat-service-support units will be deployed or extended in Iraq, as necessary, to support this increase. Those units will be identified at a later date following further mission analysis. 
 
The Army leadership recognizes the hardships and personal sacrifices of soldiers in the All-Volunteer Army as well as by their families, particularly those who have been extended past planned redeployment dates. Every effort will be made by Army leaders at all levels to support the needs of soldiers and family members that may arise in the face of war's changing requirements. 
 
Even with these directed force adjustments, the Army will continue aggressive efforts to lessen the strain on forces. America recognizes its military accomplishments come from versatile, young Americans who answer the “Call to Duty.” Our soldiers are tough, battle-hardened, and proud to do their duty. They continue to perform magnificently around the world and truly appreciate the continued support of the American public.