The Department of Defense announced today several large units scheduled for deployment to Afghanistan and Iraq in support of the Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom rotations scheduled to begin in mid-2005.

This rotation continues the current force strength and structure for both operations, and provides the capabilities required for the missions defined by the combatant commander. It does not significantly increase or decrease troop levels in Afghanistan or Iraq, and is not related to the recent strength increase in Iraq for the upcoming Iraqi election period.

For Operation Iraqi Freedom, the rotation is consistent with the current force structure in Iraq of 17 brigades and three division headquarters. The troop list announced today includes:

48^th Infantry Brigade (Separate), Georgia Army National Guard

172d Stryker Brigade Combat Team, Ft. Wainwright, Alaska

1^st Brigade, 10^th Mountain Division, Ft. Drum, N.Y.

101^st Airborne Division, Air Assault (division headquarters and 4 brigades), Ft. Campbell, Ky.

1^st Brigade, 1^st Infantry Division, Ft. Riley, Kan.

4^th Infantry Division (division headquarters and 4 brigades), Ft. Hood, Texas

The first units deploying to Iraq are scheduled to arrive in mid-2005, and successive units will deploy at various times through mid-2006.

For Operation Enduring Freedom, the 3^rd and 4^th Brigades and headquarters elements of the U.S. Armys 10^th Mountain Division from Ft. Drum, N.Y., and the headquarters of the Florida National Guards 53^rd Infantry Brigade will deploy to Afghanistan. This rotation is consistent with the current force structure of three brigades and a division headquarters. The first units deploying to Afghanistan are scheduled to arrive in mid-2005, and successive units will deploy at various points through mid-2006.

The department's goal is to increasingly pass responsibility for security and governance of Iraq and Afghanistan to the respective, domestic security forces. The U.S. force rotations may be tailored based upon changes in the security situation in these countries.

DoD will continue to release large unit announcements as they are identified and alerted. For information on the units announced today please contact the appropriate service. Army Public Affairs can be contacted at (703) 692-2000, and Headquarters, Marines Corps Public Affairs can be contacted at (703) 614-4309.