About 1,000 soldiers from the 3rd Cavalry Regiment will deploy to Afghanistan in late spring, the Army announced Wednesday.
The soldiers, from Fort Hood, Texas, will deploy as part of the regular rotation of forces in support of Operation Freedom's Sentinel, the U.S. component of the Resolute Support mission.
"The troopers of the regiment are well-trained, well-equipped and, most importantly, well-led," said Maj. Gen. John Thomson, commander of the 1st Cavalry Division, in a statement. "They are absolutely ready for this important mission."
The 1st Cavalry Division, also of Fort Hood, has training and resources oversight over the 3rd Cavalry Regiment.
The soldiers are expected to deploy for nine-months, but the eventual duration of their tour could depend on what happens next in Afghanistan.
Second Lt. Brad Strimel, platoon leader, 2nd Platoon, Apache Troop, "Tiger" Squadron, 3rd Cavalry Regiment works with an Afghan National Army sergeant to find a better route to take during a foot march to the village of Trakai in Khost province, Afghanistan, Sept. 30, 2014.
Photo Credit: Spc. Erik Warren/Army
About 9,800 U.S. troops remain in country, with plans calling for that force to drop to 5,500 by Jan. 1. Those numbers could shift, however, as commanders there assess the conditions on the ground.
Gen. John Nicholson on Wednesday took command of the mission in Afghanistan from Gen. John Campbell, who completed his 18-month tour as the top military commander in theater.
When asked about the way ahead for the U.S. and coalition mission in Afghanistan, Campbell said "we have to look at conditions on the ground."
Speaking during a Feb. 17 interview with Army Times, Campbell said, "I think there are some adjustments we have to make on that number, and I've provided those to my senior leadership. ... I'm also going to make sure [Nicholson] has that, and he'll come in and make his own assessment."
Michelle Tan is the editor of Army Times and Air Force Times. She has covered the military for Military Times since 2005, and has embedded with U.S. troops in Iraq, Afghanistan, Kuwait, Haiti, Gabon and the Horn of Africa.
