About 600 soldiers from the 1st Armored Division will deploy later this year to Iraq and Afghanistan, the Army announced Wednesday.
Of those, about 400 soldiers belong to the 1st Armored Division headquarters at Fort Bliss, Texas. They are scheduled to deploy this summer to Iraq in support of Operation Inherent Resolve.
Once overseas, the 1st Armored Division headquarters will take on the role of Combined Joint Forces Land Component Command-Iraq, replacing the 1st Infantry Division headquarters. As the CJFLCC-Iraq, the 1st Armored Division headquarters will be responsible for mission command of coalition troops tasked with training, advising and assisting Iraqi Security Forces.
"America's Tank Division is highly trained and ready for this important mission," said Maj. Gen. Pat White, the division commander, in a statement. "We are proud to work alongside our Iraqi allies and coalition partners to continue the fight against ISIS. I'm also extremely impressed by the commitment and sacrifice of our military families. It is their stalwart support and resilience that gives us the strength to serve."
The deployment announcement comes on the heels of a troop increase in Iraq as the U.S. supports the ongoing Iraqi-led effort to retake the key city of Mosul.
Officials earlier this week announced the deployment of up to 300 additional soldiers from the 82nd Airborne Division to northern Iraq. Their purpose is to accelerate the ouster of Islamic State fighters from their stronghold in Mosul.
The paratroopers comprise two infantry companies and a route-clearance platoon from the division's 2nd Brigade Combat Team, according to a U.S. defense official, who spoke to Army Times on the condition of anonymity. Officials consider the paratroopers' deployment to be temporary, and they will be tasked with an advise-and-assist mission once overseas.
The Army on Wednesday also announced the deployment of about 200 soldiers from the 1st Armored Division's Sustainment Brigade. These soldiers are scheduled to deploy this spring to Afghanistan.
The "Muleskinner" Brigade will deploy soldiers from its headquarters and Special Troops Battalion as part of the regular rotation of forces to support Operation Freedom's Sentinel in Afghanistan, according to the Army. The soldiers' mission overseas will be to provide sustainment and logistical support to units across the area of operations.
"Our soldiers are well-trained and ready to conduct sustainment operations in support of this important mission," said Col. Michael Lalor, the brigade commander, in a statement. "We are ready to answer the nation's call in Afghanistan or wherever else we are needed around the world."
