More than 5,700 soldiers will deploy this summer and fall, with some going to Europe and others to Afghanistan, the Army announced Thursday.
About 4,000 of those soldiers — from the 1st Infantry Division's 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team — will deploy this fall to Europe in support of Operation Atlantic Resolve.
The Fort Riley, Kansas-based brigade will be the second armored BCT to deploy to Europe as part of the Army's new nine-month rotations there. They will replace soldiers from 3rd BCT, 4th Infantry Division, which deployed to Europe early this year.
"The Dagger Brigade is looking forward to deploying back to Europe," said Col. David Gardner, the commander of 2nd BCT, 1st Infantry. "The brigade has served most of its 100-year history in support of our European allies and will arrive after a year of training ready to do so again."
About 1,700 soldiers from two different units will deploy to Afghanistan, the Army also announced Thursday.
This summer, about 200 soldiers from the 3rd Infantry Division headquarters, from Fort Stewart, Georgia, will deploy to replace the 1st Cavalry Division headquarters.
Once in Afghanistan, the 3rd Infantry Division headquarters will be stationed at Bagram Airfield as U.S. Forces-Afghanistan’s National Support Element.
This is a mission the division has performed before, having deployed to Afghanistan for this very task in 2015.
"The Marne Division is trained and ready to deploy in support of this important mission," said Maj. Gen. James Rainey, the division commander. "The number one priority at the 3rd Infantry Division is readiness, and I am confident our soldiers are ready to serve our nation’s call."
Also going to Afghanistan are about 1,500 soldiers from 1st BCT, 82nd Airborne Division. The Fort Bragg, North Carolina-based paratroopers will deploy in the summer to support Operation Freedom’s Sentinel.
"The ‘Devils in Baggy Pants’ are well-trained, well-equipped, and ready to assist our Afghan partners as part of the Resolute Support mission," said Col. Toby Magsig, commander of 1st BCT, 82nd Airborne.
The paratroopers' deployment is part of the regular rotation of forces, officials said.
