Military


US Forces Order of Battle - Developments

Mid-2005

DoD

CENTCOM

Army

Marine Corps

Air Force

Navy

  • A Mar 31 Navy NewsStand story reported that 200 sailors making up the third and final wave of Navy Reserve Cargo Handlers mobilized and deployed by the Naval Expeditionary Logistics Support Force (NAVELSF) in August 2004 woudl return to Naval Station Norfolk on April 2.
  • On Mar 27, the Kearsarge ESG completed embarkation of the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit. It Deployed on Mar. 29.
  • A Mar 21 Navy NewsStand story reported that 200 mobilized Reservists of the Naval Expeditionary Logistics Support Force’s (NAVELSF) Forward Bravo group had returned home to Norfolk from Kuwait on March 20 after completing a seven-month deployment.
  • According to a Mar 28 Navy NewsStand story CVN-75 Harry S. Truman was relieved on Mar 19 2005 by CVN-70 Carl Vinson

Coalition

  • Japan's opposition party, the Democratic Party of Japan, announced on August 16, that if elected to power as a result of the schedule September 11, 2005 elections, it would pull out japan's entire contingent from Iraq at the term of its mandate set to expire in December.
  • On August 13, 2005, the Italian daily La Stampa, reported that Italy had begun its pullout from Iraq earlier than expected. Affected were ~ 130 sailors along with a squadron of CH-47 helicopters and accompanying ~100 army personnel. It was reported that half of these troops would not be replaced.
  • On August 11, 2005, the UN Security Council renewed for one year the mandate of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI)
  • As of early August 2005, Albania had ~120 troops in Iraq.
  • As of early August 2005, The Czech Republic had ~90 troops in Iraq. The mandate approved by the Czech parliament allowed for up to 100 troops to be deployed to Iraq until at least the end of the year, depending in part on the status of UN Security Resolution 1546. The troops are located in Basrah under British command. The Czech contingent, mostly made up of police trainers, also includes a small logistical element. The Czech Republic also has 5 personnel deployed to Iraq as part of the NATO Training Mission-Iraq.
  • As of late July 2005, Japan had ~~600 ground self defense forces in Iraq. These troops were tasked with providing medical assistance and engineering work pertaining to water facilities. The troops were initially stationed with Dutch troops, but were now being located with Australian troops. In addition, Japan also had ~200 troops stationed in Kuwait providing air transport in support of the contingent deployed to Iraq.
  • Reuters reported on July 29, 2005, that El Savalador still had 380 troops in Iraq and would continue to do so for at least a year following a vote the previous day by its Congress to send a fifth contingent in August which would itself be rotated out and replaced the following February. The Cuzcatlán Batttalion is due to rotate out of Iraq in August. Numbering 380, it replaced in February 2005 a unit that had 360 troops.
  • As of July 27, 2005, the Netherlands still had 4 troops in Iraq, as part of SFIR(Stabilization Force IRaq). In addition, it also had 14 troops in the country as part of the NATO Training Mission Iraq(NTM-I)
  • While on a visit to Iraq, Australia's PM Howard was said to have declared that Australia would keep its troops in Iraq until the Iraqi government no longe needed them. The article also mentioned that Australia had about 750 troops in Iraq.
  • Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty reported on July 21 that the first contingent of Armenian troops deployed in Iraq the previous January had returned home the day prior after a six-months rotation. The unit was reported to be composed of "doctors, demining experts and military truck drivers" and had been statitioned in the Polish-led multinational division-controlled area of south-central Iraq.
  • On July 21, 2005, Italy's Lower House approved funds to extend the deployment of Italian troops in Iraq until the end of the year. The measure still required the approval of Italy's Upper House.
  • As of mid-July 2005, Slovakia had a 100-soldier engineering unit serving with the Multinational Division Central South, based in Hillah, Iraq
  • The 4th Macedonian contingent to serve in Iraq returned home in mid-July. They were replaced by another contingent of 33 Special Forces troops, in addition to a high-level liaison officer and a logistics officer who left on June 8, 2005 for Iraq for a period of six months. Macedonia also has two officers asigned to US CENTOCM HQs in Tampa, Florida. for a yearlong assignment.
  • On July 17, 2005, British Defense Secretary John Reid was reported as saying that a transitional handover process could start during the next 12 months allowing for the return of British troops.
  • As of August 3, 2005, the Netherlands had 13 military personnel for the NATO Training Mission Iraq (NTM-I) and 4 troops in the Irak region for SFIR
  • As of July 4, 2005, Australia had approximately 1370 personnel in the region. Its contribution to coalition operations in Iraq consisted 568 personnel divided among the Al Muthanna Task Group (AMTG) with 450 personnel; an ADF medical team of 20 specialist medical personnel based at the Balad Military Hospital; An Australian Army Training Team of 55 personnel that provides logistic training to the Iraqi Army; an Australian contribution to the MNF HQ of 35 personnel; a small group of RAAF air traffic controllers at the Balad Air Base (approximately 6) plus the Australian Defence Attaché on the staff of the Australian Embassy in Baghdad and the Senior Australian military officer working in the British HQ in Basra. In addition, Australia also maintained a security detachment of about 100 personnel equiped with Australian LAVs and an explosive ordnance detachment to provide protection and escort for Australian Government personnel working in the Embassy in Baghdad. That security detachment is not being counted as part of the coaltion but is included in the total tally for the region. As of July ne 15, 2005, Australia also had in the region, an RAAF C-130 Hercules detachment, likely based in Qatar with about 160 personnel providing intra-theatre air lift and sustainment support in the Middle East, with two transport aircraft, ground crew and other support elements. It also had an RAAF AP-3C Orion detachment of about 160 personnel conducting maritime patrol operations, itself also not based in Iraq with two aircraft and associated command and support elements; HMAS Newcastle about 220 personnel deployed to the region; and an Australian Joint Task Force HQ of about 100 personnel, though it was not clear where the Australian JTF HQ was based out of.
  • As of mid-July S. Korea's contingent of troops to Iraq stood at a strength of 3,300. The contingent was reduced from an initial strength of 3,600 following reorganization to avoid duplication of effort and relocation of units present on the ground. The contingent it mainly tasked with a reconstruction and peacebuilding mission, but does provide assistance to Iraqi forces, in the form of training. Though there were no plans to either increase or decrease the size of the contingent, the S. Korean National Assembly initially authorized the deployment for a period of a year, leaving the door open for a decision at the end of the year.
  • Bulgaria, as of mid-July 2005 was believed to have approximately ~400-450 troops from the 5th Bulgarian Infantry Battalion in Iraq as part of the coalition under Polish Command. On March 30, 2005, the Bulgarian Cabinet decided that it would end its commitment to the mission in Iraq by December 31, 2005. The decision called for a reduction of troops assigned to the infantry battalion deployed there from 500 to 400, following approval by the Bulgarian Parliament, which did so on May 5, 2005. Bulgaria deployed in May 2005 its fifth rotation of troops to Iraq, with a strength of 400 troops as ooposed to 500 in previous rotations. Bulgaria elected a new government on June 25, 2005, but was, as of mid-July 2005 still in the process of forming a cabinet which might result in a possible change in policy. The policy still left open a possible extension of troops tobelieved to also be contingent on whether the UN mandate set forth in United Nations Resolution 1546 would expire at the end of 2005 or whether it would be renewed.
  • As of mid-July 2005, Norway still had approximately 10 staff officers deployed to Iraq. These Norwegian personnel form part of the British and Polish divisional headquarters staff.
  • As of mid-July 2005, Azerbaijan has 1 infantry company deployed to the Al Anbar region in Iraq with 151 troops. There were no immediate plans to either increase or decrease the size of the contingent.
  • As of mid-July 2005, Lithuania had ~120 personnel in Iraq, evenly split between a Danish Battalion near Basrahm and the Polish Division in Al Hillah, in addition to several officers assigned to the MNF Headquarters in Baghdad.
  • Poland completed in mid-July 2005 the rotation of its contingent in Iraq. A farewell ceremony had been held on July 4, 2005 in Rzeszowie in Eastern Poland for the 5th contingent of troops. The contingent drawn from the 1st Warsaw Division and reportedly numbering 1,500 troops would be deployed for a period of 6 months. Poland also maintains a quick-reaction force, battalion-sized, in a ready-state for deployment to Iraq. With UN Security Resolution 1546 set to expire at the end of 2005, Poland's repotedly contemplated withdrawal was officially nevertheless contingent on situation and events in Iraq.
  • As of July 9, 2005, the Estonian unit deployed to Iraq was the 34-strong light infantry platoon ESTPLA-11; operational control of which rested with US CENTCOM. In addition, at least one Estonian Officer was known to be serving with the coalition forces' information department. On April 20, 2005, the Estonian Parliament extended the mission of its contingent in Iraq until December 31, 2005, with the option left open of revisiting that deadline pending any extension by the United Nations of the mandate set in UN Security Council Resolution 1546. The unit deployed in June 2005 to Iraq. Prior units were the Estonian light infantry unit (ESTPLA-8) based in Baghdad and a cargo handling team (CT-2) which operated at Tallil Airfield near An-Nasiriyah; both units were deployed in Iraq for six months and returned home on June 15, 2004. They were replaced by ESTPLA-9 with 32 troops and CT-3 with 13 troops for a period of six months. This rotation was followed by the ESTPLA-10. ESTPLA-8 and ESTPLA-10 are understood to have served under the 1st Cavalry Divison.
  • As of early July 2005, Latvia had 136 troops in Iraq.
  • As of July 2005, Romania had ~863 troops in Iraq. This included an infantry company numbering between 120-130 tropps assigned to UNAMI. Its contingent of troops assisting the coalition was made up of 1 infantry Battalion, 1 Engineer unit, probably company-sized, 1 MP company, 1 Infantry company, 1 medical group, 1 reconnaissance group in addition to officers and NCO assigned to HQs.
  • Italy announced on July 8, that it would withdraw 300 troops from Iraq in September 2005. As of July 1, 2005, Italy had 3,038 troops committed to Operation "Antica Babilonia", its name for operations in Iraq. Of these, 8 were being assigned to locations in United States, while 30 troops were being stationed in Kuwait with 2,945 troops were in Iraq. 55 personnel from the Italian Red Cross were also in the region.
  • During an interview with BBC's Newsnight programme on July 1, 2005, Jordan's King Abdullah said that his country would consider sending troops to Iraq if tha country's interim government asked.
  • The Xinhua New Agency reported on June 20 that Italy's Defense Minister had that day commented that the country would likely withdraw its contingent from Iraq once a new Iraqi government takes power and is capable of securing the country.
  • Bosnia and Herzegovina deployed on June 10, 2005, a contingent of 36 troops to Iraq. The unit is Explosiive Ordnance Disposal unit was to be subordinated to a US Marine Engineer unit in the Fallujah area. Bosnian contingent are set to rotate to Iraq for a period of six-months each.
  • As of June 8, 2005, Kazakhstan still had 27 engineers in Iraq serving with the Ukrainian contingent and taked with UXO duties
  • As of late-May 2005, Fiji was set to deploy an additional 90 troops to Iraq to support UNAMI
  • As of late May 2005, S. Korean troops in Iraq were drawn from the Zaytun Division who had assumed operational authority for the northeastern province of Irbil, Iraq, on Oct. 1, 2004.
  • On May 25, 2005, UK Secretary of State for Defence John Reid announced the latest rotation of UK Forces to Iraq to the Multinational Division (South-East) (MND(SE)) As part of the plan, 4 Armoured Brigade, formerly the lead UK formation, was being replaced by 12 Mechanised Brigade; a transition to be mostly complete by 30 May 2005. The rotation would account for approximately 8,500 troops or an increase of a 400+ UK troops to Iraq.
  • As of April 21, 2005, Italy's contingent of troops in Iraq was led by a Maneuver regiment based on the 187th Parachutist Regiment and composed of two task groups: a battalion of "Tarquina" parachutists with a company of the from the San Marco Regiment; and one battalion made up of one armored reconnaissance squadron from the 4th Cavalry and one Mechanized Company using Centauro and Dardo vechicles.
  • On April 15, 2005, Bosnia and Herzegovina announced that it would deploy in June 2005 a Explosive Ordnance Disposal platoon to Iraq. The unit would number 36 troops
  • As of early April 2005, the 13th Infantry 'Shavnabada' Battalion (also identified as the 3rd Battalion of the 11th Brigade) from Georgia had been attached to the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division in Baghdad. The unit, with 550 troops would be responsible for security at the al-Rasheed Hotel and the Iraqi Convention Center, the home to the newly-elected Iraqi National Assembly, in addition to providing security for United Nations convoys in Baghdad. There are conflicting reports as to whether the Shavnabada is deployed as part of UNAMI or as part of the coalition but assisting UNAMI. They joined a contingent of 300 commnado troops already in Iraq near Baquba.
  • An early April 2005, 4th BCT, 3rd ID PAO article mentioned that the Estonian and Macedonian contingent deployed to Iraq were supporting Multi-National Division-Baghdad.
  • On March 15, 2005, Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi announced that Italy would begin to withdraw its troops from Iraq in September 2005. Berlusconi later seemed to backtrack from this comment with his spokesman downplaying the announcement as being consistent with prior Italian policy and thus contingent upon the ability of the Iraqi Government to assume responsibility for itself. As such, it is unclear whether Italy will in fact withdraw its contingent from Iraq.
  • Ukraine witdrew 500 troops from Iraq on May 15, 2005. This followed the 150 or so who left on March 15, 2005. The rest of the Ukrainian contingent, numbering ~950, is set to leave the country by the end of 2005, possibly by mid-October.
  • The UB Post reported on March 10, 2005, that Mongolia's third rotation of more than 130 troops to Iraq returned home on March 4 after six months spent in-country. They were under Polish command. The first rotation of Mongolian contingent, which was composed of an infantry company and construction platoon, was deployed to Iraq from mid-August 2003. As with the second and third rotations of Mongolian troops to Iraq, only infantry companies were deployed.
  • Singapore Landing Ship Tank (LST) RSS Resolution, with a crew of 180, returned home on March 19, 2005, after a three month deployement to the Northern Arabian Gulf as part of Singapore's contribution "to the multinational effort in support of the reconstruction in Iraq". It was not clear if another ship had been dispatched to replace it.
    • as part of Singapore's contribution "to the multinational effort in support of the reconstruction in Iraq". RSS Resolution had.
  • On February 22, 2005, the Government of Australia announced that is had decided to send a new Australian Task Force to Iraq. The Task Group would be sent to the Al Muthanna province in S. Iraq and it would be tasked with 1) providing a secure environment for Japanese engineering and support forces there; and 2) being involved in the further training of Iraqi security forces. The new Australian Task Group was to consist of a headquarters, a cavalry squadron, an infantry company, and a training team. The total numbers would be approximately 450, and it would have some 40 ASLAV armoured vehicles. The great bulk of the Task Group was to be drawn from the Darwin 1st Brigade, and it would take some 10 weeks from that announcement for the Task Group to be ready. The unit deployed in late April 2005.
  • The fifth Danish Contingent was dued to rotate out of Iraq sometime in August, after arriving in Kuwait on February 10, 2005. The contingent is made of ~540 troops, or an increase from the 496 that made up the fourth rotation. The unit is deployed in Basrah, Iraq. They are taksed with providing security around their camp and to convoys traveling through the supply routes in Southern Iraq. The contingent is made up of infantry, military police officers, medics, in addition to a civil affairs team.
  • As of early Januuary 2005, Kazakhstan had rotated in three contingent of 27 engineers to Iraq with another scheduled to follow.
  • On March 15, 137 Ukrainian soldiers arrived home as part of the first group from that country's contingent in Iraq to withdraw from Iraq.

  • Moldova withdrew its contingent of 12 troops from Iraq in February 2005. The withdrawal had not been previously noted.
  • The Kingdom of Tonga withdrew its contingent of 40+ troops from Iraq in December 2004. The withdrawal had not been previously noted.

  • On March 14, 2005, The London Daily Telegraph reported that on March 7, 2005, Dutch military forces in Iraq handed over command in the province Al Muthanna to the British, thereby officially ending its mission in Iraq. It also reported that, as of March 14, 2005, only 200 Dutch troops were reported to still be in the province. They were scheduled to leave Iraq by the end of the month. The Associated Press reported on Mar. 15, that 150 troops had returned home on Feb. 21. The BBC reported on Mar. 15. that another 150 had returned home that day, but 800 troops were still in Iraq.
  • Ukraine's defense ministry announced that it would begin withdrawing its troops from Iraq on March 15, with the departure of 150 troops.
  • Poland is slated to withdraw several additional hundred soldiers from Iraq by summer
  • BBC News reported on Mar. 2, that Ukraine had outlined the timetable fo the withdrawal of its 1,650 or so troops in Iraq. They are to depart the country in three stages set between mid-March and October 2005. During the first phase, 150 troops would leave. They would be later followed by an additional 590 troops. The remaining Ukrainian soldiers are to leave Iraq by mid-October.
  • A contingent of 558 troops, as well as 40 liaison officers, from Georgia deployed on Mar. 02 for Iraq, via Kuwait, where they will stay for two weeks. The troops are assigned to the Shavnabada Battalion. As a result, Georgia will have 898 troops in Iraq.
  • Albania announced on Feb. 25, that it would boost its troop contribution to Iraq by 50 in April 2005 during a regularly scheduled troop rotation.

1 March 2005

DoD

  • The Department of Defense announced on Dec. 1, that "a request by the Commander of Multi-National Forces-Iraq (MNF(I)) to extend two Army brigades and a Marine Expeditionary Unit operating in Iraq [had been approved]. The Secretary also approved the Commander’s request for two additional infantry battalions to deploy to Iraq." Affected by the extension order were the Army’s 2nd Brigade, 25th Infantry Division, the 2nd Brigade 1st Cavalry Division, the Marine Corps’ 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, and the 66th Transportation Company. Two battalions from the 82nd Airborne Division were also slated to deploy to Iraq for an anticipated duration of approximately 120 days. The approved request was to add an additional 1,500 active duty soldiers, and extends approximately 10,400 active duty combat forces. The extension, in conjunction with the current force rotation, would increase the U.S. forces in theater from 17 to 20 brigades, and increase the force size in Iraq to approximately 150,000 personnel during the election period.

  • The Washington Post reported On Nov. 21, that, according to senior U.S. military commanders, additional US troops would be required in Iraq to deal with the increased tempo of operations against the insurgency. Possible scenarios discussed included the need for an additional 3-5,000 troops, possibly drawing on a brigade from the 82nd Airborne Division, and/or delaying the redeployment of the 2nd Brigade, 25th Infantry Division

CENTCOM

Army

  • As of Feb. 28, the 319th Signal Battalion was scheduled to soon redeploy home. It was serving under the 7th Signal Brigade
  • The Wilkes Barre Times Leader reported Feb. 27, that part of the 2nd BN, 103rd Armor Rgt had returned home, namely Charlie Company. Bravo Company was scheduled to follow it later.
  • The Associated Press reported on Feb. 26, that the 2nd BN, 197th Field Artillery had returned home that day.
  • On Feb. 25, DOD announced a casualty with the 797th Ordnance Company (Explosive Ordnance Disposal), 79th Ordnance Bn, 52nd Ordnance Group, TF Liberty. The deployment of that unit had not been previously noted.
  • The Portland Press Herald reported on Feb. 25, that the 548 men of the 133rd Engineer Battalion had begun arriving back in the US on Feb. 23.
  • The Rocky Mountain News reported on Feb. 24, that the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment would deart for Iraq within the following two weeks.
  • The Associated Press reported on Feb. 23 that close to 300 soldiers from the 1st Battalion, 201st Field Artillery would return home on Feb. 25 and 27 from Iraq. The deployment of that unit had not been previously noted.
  • The Associated Press reported on Feb. 23, that the 500 or so soldiers from the 276th Engineer Battalion returned home that day.
  • On Feb. 23, DoD released the names of casualties with the 1st Bn, 151st Field Artillery, 34th Infantry Division. The deployment of that unit had not been previously noted.
  • According to a Feb. 22 August Chronicle report, the 293rd Military Police Company returned home on Feb. 20.
  • The Associated Press reported on Feb. 22 that the 153rd Engineer Battalion had returned to the US.
  • The Associated Press reported on Feb. 21 on the return that day of 500 troops, mostly from the 2nd BCT, 1st Cavalry Division. As of that date, 1,500 troops from the 1st Cavalry Division had returned home, with the rest slated to return by April.
  • The Associated Press reported on Feb. 20, that the 891st Engineer Battalion had been in Iraq since mid-January and was stationed in Southern Iraq. The unit is stationed at Tallil AB.
  • DoD released on Feb. 20 the name of a casualty with the 377th Transportation Company, 181st Transportation Bn, 1st COSCOM. The deployment of that unit had not been previously noted.
  • The Olympian reported on Feb. 20, that al least part of the 2nd Battalion, 146th Field Artillery was scheduled to return home that week.
  • The 105th Military Police Battalion is in Iraq at Camp Bucca since October 2004, when it took over the 160th Military Police Battalion
  • The Associated Press reported on Feb. 18 that the 39th Infantry Brigade (eHSB) (Light) would, in theory, return home to Arkansas by late April.
  • The 133rd Engineer Battalion was, accoring to a Feb. 18 Portland Press Herald report, pulling out of Mosul ahead of its initial schedule, with a possible return to CONUS by late the following week and a return home by mid-march.
  • The Oil City Derrick, PA, PA, reported on Feb. 17, that Battery C, 1st BN, 107th Field Artillery had returned home that day. According to a Feb 18Youngstown Vindicator report, Battery A returned on Feb. 17. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported that Battery B had reached For Dix on Jan. 25.
  • The Associated Press reported on Feb. 17, that 210 soldiers from the 115th Signal Battalion would arrive home on the 20th of Feb.
  • The Associated Press reported on Feb. 17, that the 116th Cavalry Brigade had taken over responsibility for its sector in Iraq, replacing the 2nd BDE, 25th Infantry Division
  • The Herald (Rock Hill, S.C.) reported on Feb. 16, that the 3rd Battalion, 178th Field Artillery would return home within days.
  • The Honolulu Advertiser reported on Feb. 16, that the 1st Battalion, 14th Infantry had retuend home. It also reported that the 1st Battalion, 27th Infantry would return on Feb. 15 and 21. The 1st Battalion, 21st Infantry was expected to return within a few days.
  • The Bismarck Tribune reportedon Feb. 16, that most of the 141st Engineer Battalion's troops would return home that day, or about 300 of the unit's 475 troops.
  • A Feb. 15 AFPS story reported that the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment had taken command from Task Force Olympia on Feb. 13
  • The St. Cloud Times reported on Feb. 14, that the 150 men of the 1st Battalion, 194th Armor as well as the 250 men of the 434th Main Support Battalion, B Co had arrived in Iraq in January 2005.
  • A Feb. 14 New York Times piece reported that the 250th Signal Bn was in Iraq at Base Danger and operating under the 42nd Infantry Division
  • A Feb. 14 Associated Press report mentioned that the 113th Engineer BN had been in Iraq for less than two months and was based near Mosul.
  • The Associated Press reported on Feb. 14, that most of the 120th Engineer Battalion had returned home to Okmulgee, OK, that day. Some 200 members of the unit were still in Kuwait but were due to return home within the following three weeks.
  • On Feb. 13, DOD released the name of a casualty with the 767th Ordnance Company, 63rd Ordnance Bn, 52nd Ordnance Group, TF Baghdad. The deployment of that unit had not been previously noted.
  • The Philadelphia reported on Feb. 12, that the 3rd Battalion, 112th Field Artillery had officially returned home the previous day, after serving as a provisional military police unit in Iraq.
  • The Toledo Blade reported on Feb. 12, on the return of Company C of the 216th Engineer BN while the Chillicothe Gazette reported on Feb. 20 that the other companies from the Battalion had also returned home.
  • The Wisconsin State Journal reported on Feb. 12, that B Company 118th Medical Battalion had returned home from Iraq. It had been in Iraq since Feb. 2004.
  • The Associated Press reported on Feb. 11, that two battalions from the 82nd Airborne Division, namely the 2nd BN, 325th Airborne Infantry and the 3rd BN, 325th Airborne Infantry, deployed in support of the Jan. 30 Iraqi elections, might return in March, one month earlier than originally expected.
  • The Associated Press reported on Feb. 11, that the 197th Field Artillery Brigade's Headquarters returned home that day. During its deployment, the unit had three artillery battalions assigned to it, with more than 1,300 soldiers. This deployment had not been previously been noted.
  • An Feb. 11, MNF-I release related that III Corps had relinquished command of the Multi-National Corps-Iraq to XVIII Airborne Corps on Feb. 10 at Camp Victory’s Al-Faw Palace.
  • The San Bernardino Sun reported on Feb. 10, that members from the 1st Battalion, 185th Armor would return home on Feb. 15. Other soldiers from the units would follow them within the next couple of weeks.
  • The Columbus Dispatch reported on Feb. 10, that the 391st Military Police Battalion had returned home the previous night.
  • The Associated Press reported on Feb. 10, that the 29th Infantry Brigade was in Kuwait and would soon be moving into Iraq, though it would leave behind a battalion for security purposes in Kuwait and Qatar. The report also mentioned that the unit's headquarters would be based at LSA Anaconda. The Honolulu Advertiser reported that the 29th Infantry Brigade's troops were marshalled at Camp Buehring, Camp New York and at Kuwait Naval Base.
  • The Associated Press reported on Feb. 9, that the 80 memebrs of the 264th Engineer Group had returned home.
  • The Olympian reported on Feb 8, that all the soldiers from the 81st Brigade Combat Team would be home by the end of March.
  • On Feb.8, the Department of Defense released the names of two US casualties suffered on Feb. 4 and with the 2nd Battalion, 7th Infantry with the 1st BCT, 3rd Infantry Division. The arrival of that unit in Iraq had not been previously noted.
  • The Associated Press reported on Feb. 7, that about 200 soldiers of the 368th Cargo Transfer Company with the 11th Transportation Battalion would return home by Feb. 14. It had deployed on Feb. 14, 2004.
  • The Associated Press reported on Feb. 7, that the 1st Battalion, 86th Field Artillery would leave Iraq the following day and, after spending two days in Kuwait would return home via Fort Dix. 190 men from the unit were deployed to Iraq.
  • The Associated Press reported on Feb. 7, that most of the 2nd Battalion, 147th Field Artillery had arrived at Fort Sill, OK, the day prior.
  • On Feb. 7, the Bangor Daily News reported that the men from the 1st Battalion, 152nd Field Artillery had returned to the US and would return home, possibly on Feb. 13.
  • On Feb. 7, the Associated Press reported that the 141st Engineer Battalion had arrived at Fort Carson and were scheduled to return home after a year in Iraq.
  • The Viriginian-Pilot reported on Feb. 6, that 200 soldiers of the 368th Cargo Transfer Company of the 11th Transportation Battalion would return on Feb. 11.
  • The Associated Press reported on Feb. 4, that the 1-244th Command Aviation BN had returned home that week,
  • The Argus Leader (South Dakota), reported on Feb.2, that the 2nd BN, 147th Field Artillery and the 153rd Engineer Battalion were in Kuwait where they had moved to the week prior to prepare for their early return home. The units were reportedly scheduled to stay until June.
  • The Associated Press reported on Feb. 2, that the 110 men from the 118th Area Support Medical Battalion would return to the US the following day.
  • The Kansas City Star reported on Feb. 2, that the 3rd Brigade, 1st Armored Division had left for Iraq the day prior.
  • The Associated Press reported on Jan. 31 that the 1st Battalion, 172nd Field Artillery would return home on Feb 2.
  • The Birmingham News (Alabama) reported on Jan. 29, that members from the 279th Signal Battalion had returned home. Soldiers from the unit had been attached to either the 115th Signal Battalion or the 711th Signal Battalion, both of which also had redeployed home.
  • The News Tribune (Tacoma, WA) reported on Jan. 29, that the 29th Signal Battalion had returned home and held its welcome-home ceremony the day before.
  • The Albuquerque Journal reported on Jan. 28, that the 515th Corps Support Battalion would arrive home that day.
  • The Associated Press reported on Jan. 25, that the 141st Engineer Combat Battalion would return home the following month.
  • The Associated Press reported on Jan. 25, that the 1st Battalion, 172nd Field Artillery was expected to return home the following week.
  • The Associated Press reported on Jan. 25 that 50 troops from the 1-244th Command Aviation Battalion had returned home, leaving 150 troops from the unit still deployed overseas.
  • The News Tribune (Tacoma, WA) reported that the 81st Brigade Combat Team might begin redeploying home over the next two months.
  • The Times-Picayune reported on Jan. 25, that the 100th Battalion, 442nd Infantry was in the process of deploying to Iraq via Kuwait.
  • According to a Jan. 25 Associated Press report, the National Guard only had about 86,000 personel available for future deployments to Iraq, while the US Army Reserve had only about 37,500 soldiers available for deployment from its overall troop strength.
  • The Honolulu Advertiser reported on Jan. 24 that the 84th Engineer Battalion had returned home on Jan. 13.
  • The Associated Press reported on Jan. 24 that the 1st BN, 86th Field Artillery would return home in approximtely a month and a half.
  • During a briefing to reporters on January 24, 2005, the Director of Army Operations, Lt. Gen. James J. Lovelace, reported that the US Army expected to maintain its force levels at about 120,000 troops in Iraq through at least 2006.
  • DoD announced on Jan. 24 the death of a soldier with the 3rd Bn, 3rd Aviation Regiment in Kuwait. The deployment of that unit had not been previously noted.
  • The State Journal-Record reported on Jan. 21, that the 232nd Corps Support Battalion woudl return home to Springfiled on Jan. 28.
  • The Wausau Daily Herald reported on Jan. 21, that the 376th Finance Battalion would return home on Jan. 24, after a year in Iraq. The deployment of that unit had not been previously noted.
  • The Star-Gazette (Elmira, NY) reported on Jan. 21, on the mobilitazation of the 3rd Battalion, 103rd Armor the day prior for training before an eventual deployment to Iraq.
  • The Aberdeen American News reported on Jan. 20, that the 153rd Engineer Battalion was scheduled to return home on March 1.
  • According to a Jan. 20 Associated Press report, the 141st Engineer Combat Battalion could arrive in Kuwait as early as the end of January, in preparation for their redeployment home.
  • The Honolulu Advertiser reported on Jan. 19, that soldiers with the 65th Engineer Battalion, the 125th Signal Battalion, as well as the 125th Military Intelligence Battalion, and the 1st Battalion, 25th Aviation had returned home the previous day.
  • The Aberdeen American News reported on Jan. 19, that the 2nd BN, 147th Field Artillery might return to the US around February 20 instead its previously scheduled date of March 1.
  • The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette repoted on Jan. 14, that HHD, 336th Military Police BN had returned home the previous day from Iraq. The unit was reportedly based near Baqubah, and had under it Batteries B and C, 107th Field Artillery, and a Texas cavalry troop.
  • The Associated Press reported on Jan. 14, that the 1st BN, 172nd Armor Rgt would deploy for Iraq in summer 2005, where it expected to operate tanks.
  • The Columbus Ledger-Enquirer reported on January 13, that the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division would leave on Jan. 15 for Kuwait. It would then deploy for Baqubah, Iraq, to be placed under the 42nd Infantry Division.
  • The Tribune-Review (Greensburg, PA) mentioned in a Jan. 11 article, that the 28th Signal Battalion would deploy with the 2nd BTC, 28th Infantry Division
  • The Associated Press reported on Jan. 11, that the entire 147th Field Artillery Brigade was in Iraq. Only the 2nd BN, 147th Field Artillery's deployment had been previously noted. The brigade is due to return in early March.
  • The Associated Press reported on Jan. 11, that the 1st Battalion, 150th Armor REGT had returned home the day prior. The AP later reported on Jan. 20, that the last 136 soldiers from the unit would return the next day.Meanwhile The News & Observer reported that with the last plane arriving at Pope AFB the night before, the 30th Heavy Separate Brigade (eHSB) (MECH) had officially concluded its tour in Iraq. Only about 200 troops were left in Iraq to supervise the loading of the unit's equipment onto ships.
  • The Augusta Chronicle reported on Jan. 8, that the 170 soldiers of the 202nd Military Intelligence Battalion were returning home that day.
  • A Jan. 8, Chattanooga Times Free Press story mentionned that the 106th Transportation Battalion was based at Camp Navistar, Iraq, though it probably referred to Camp Navistar in Kuwait.
  • The Columbus Ledger-Enquirer reported on Jan. 8, on the deployment the day and month prior of troops to Iraq. According to the report, 80 troops from HHC, 36th Engineer Group had deployed the day prior to Iraq. They joined 120 soldiers from the 13th Corps Support Battalion and 150 soldiers from the 598th Maintenance Company. It also reported that the bulk of the 3rd Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division would deploy for Iraq in the next couple of weeks. The Associated Press reported on Jan. 7, that 1,800 troops would deploy with the 36th Engineer Group to Iraq.
  • The Hattiesburg American reported on Jan. 8, that the 298th Corps Support Battalion had returned home on Jan. 6, after having been deployed for a year to Iraq.
  • The Honolulu Advertiser reported on Jan. 7, that the 29th Infantry Brigade's troops would not deploy to Iraq until after the elections. It also reported that, when deployed, the unit's 3,600 troops would be headquartered out of Balad, but be based out of Baghdad's Green Zone and Camp Victory South.
  • The Allentown, PA, Morning Call reported on Jan. 7, that the 228th Forward Support Battalion had activated on Jan. 9. The units 419 troops would train for 100 days before deploying to Iraq, via Kuwait In June.
  • PacNews reported on Jan. 6. that the 29th Infantry Brigade would deploy by Jan. 20 to Kuwait, before going to Baghdad.
  • The Indianapolis Star reported on Jan. 6, that 139 troops from the 138th Signal Battalion mobilized the day prior. From previous news reports, it was not clear if the the whole battalion was being mobilized or simply A Company.
  • The Aberdeen American reported on Jan. 6, that the 2nd BN, 147th Field Artillery was scheduled to return on March 1, though the article alluded that it might be back by Feb. 15.
  • 129 soldiers from Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 115th Infantry were mobilized on Jan. 6 for an eventual deployment to Iraq.
  • The Birmingham News(Alabama) reported on Jan. 5 that the 711th Signal Battalion was expected to return home that month with approximatedly 600 troops after spending a year in Iraq. The unit deployed in February 2004. The article also reported that the 115th Signal Bn had deployed at about the same time to Iraq with about 500 troops and had been based out of Mosul.The deployment of these units had not been previously noted.
  • The Associated Press reported on Jan. 5. that the 112th Military Police Battalion had returned home the day prior after a year in Baghdad.
  • The Associated Press reported on Jan. 5. that the 184th Transportation Command would deploy overseas the following week. The article also mentioned that the 155th Armored BDE (Separate) had begun leaving for Iraq via Kuwait that week.
  • The Burlington Free Press reported on Jan. 4, 2005, that 600 soldiers from the Vermont Army National Guard, mostly from the 2nd BN, 172nd Armor Rgt had arrived in Kuwait the day prior. Most of the troops were to be stationed and operating accross multiple locations in Kuwait.
  • The Associated Press reported on Jan. 2, 2005, that the 2nd Battalion, 108th Infantry REGT's 760 troops had returned home that day from Iraq.
  • The Houston Chronicle reported on Dec. 31, that the 56th Brigade Combat Team was activated on July 2, 2004, and would begin to deploy after Jan. 1, 2005 farewell ceremonies to be held in their honor.
  • The News & Observer reported on Dec.31 that the 1st BN, 252nd Armor Rgt returned home that day.
  • The Patriot Ledger reported on Dec. 31 that 177 soldiers from the 1st Battalion, 102nd Field Artillery had deployed to Iraq on Dec. 29 and 31 for Iraq via Kuwait. The bulk of the unit has been retrained as a security unit.
  • The Associated Press reported on Dec. 30, 2004 that 55 troops from the 115th Signal Battalion would return home the following day, with the remaining troops from the 480-members unit to return home over the following six weeks. The unit's deployement on Dec. 7, 2003 had not been previously noted.
  • The Associated Press reported on Dec. 30, 2004, on the return of 100 soldiers that day, from the 25th Infantry Division. These troops were part of the unit's advance party to Iraq. The remaining troops from the unit, oringally scheduled to return in January were extended for two months in anticipation of the Iraqi elections.
  • The News & Observer (Raleigh, North Carolina) reported on Dec. 29, that elements from the 105th Engineer Battalion and the 1st Battalion, 113th Field Artillery had returned that day.
  • The Associated Press reported on Dec. 29, that the 1st Battalion, 120th Infantry Rgt returned from Iraq on Dec. 28. The remaining troops from the 30th Infantry Brigade (eHSB) (MECH) were expected to return within the next following two weeks.
  • The Portland Press Herald mentioned on Dec. 25, that the 204th Engineer Battalion was deployed in Mosul.
  • The Associated Press reported on Dec. 24, that the 983rd Engineer BN (Combat) (Heavy) would leave for the Middle East on Dec. 26.
  • On Dec. 24, DoD released the name of a casualty with the 2nd Bn, 390th Infantry Regiment, assigned to TF Olympia. The deployment of that unit had not been previously noted.
  • On Dec. 22, DoD released the name of casualties assigned to the 180th Transportation Bn. The deployment of that unit had not been previously noted.
  • On Dec. 14, DoD released the name of a casualty assigned to the 95th Military Police Bn. The deployment of that unit had not been previously noted.
  • On Dec. 12, DoD released the name of casualties assigned to the 1st Bn, 151st Aviation and assigned to TF Olympia. The deployment of that unit had not been previously noted.
  • The Duluth Tribune reported on Dec. 8, that the 724th Engineer Battalion had returned home April 1, 2004. The redeployment of that unit had not been noted.
  • On Dec. 7, DoD released the name of a casualty assigned to the 1st Bn, 258th Field Artillery. The deployment of that unit had not been previously noted.
  • On Dec. 6, DoD released the name of a casualty assigned to the 202nd Military Intelligence Bn, 513th Military Intelligence Brigade. The deployment of that unit had not been previously noted.
  • On Dec. 6, DoD released the name of a casualty that occured on Dec. 4, assigned to the 3rd Bn, 21st Infantry Regiment and assigned to TF Olympia. The deployment of that unit had not been previously noted.
  • DoD announced on Nov. 24, the death of a soldier with the 1st Bn, 101st Cavalry, assigned to TF Baghdad. The deployment of that unit had not been previously noted.
  • DoD announced on Nov. 24, the death of a soldier with the 1st Battalion, 108th Infantry Regiment, assigned to TF Baghdad. The deployment of that unit had not been previously noted.
  • DoD announced on Nov. 19, the death of a soldier with the 411th Engineer Brigade. The deployment of that unit had not been previously noted.
  • DoD announced on Nov. 17, the death of a soldier with the 782nd Main Support Battalion, 82nd Airborne Division assigned to 13th COSCOM. The deployment of that unit had not been previously noted.
  • DoD announced on Nov. 15, the death of a soldier with the 2nd Batallion, 72nd Armor, 2nd Infantry Division. The deployment of that unit had not been previously noted.
  • DoD announced on Nov. 13, the death of a soldier with the Army Reserve's 1st Bn, 339th Regiment, 7th Brigade, 84th Division. The deployment of that unit had not been previously noted.
  • The 416th Civil Affairs BN returned home in mid-October 2004. The unit had replaced the 431st Civil Affairs Battalion in Mosul. The redeployment of that unit had not been previously noted.
  • The 1st Brigade, 1st Infantry Division redeployed home from 14-26 Sept. 2004.
  • The 842nd Engineer Company returned home in Sept. 2004.
  • The 1742nd Transportation Company returned home in June 2004.
  • The 68th Corps Support BN redeployed home in mid-late March 2004. The redeployment had not been previously noted. Its HHC detachment did receive however new deployment orders in July 2004.
  • The 11th Signal Brigade returned home in mid-February 2004, though some of the unit's soldiers were to remain in Iraq. The redeployment had not been previously noted.
  • As of Sept. 2, 2004, the 1775th Military Police Company was reported to have recently left Iraq.
  • The 49th Military Police BN appears to have returned home around the April 2004 timeframe.
  • The 877th Engineer Battalion returned home in March 2004. The redeployment of that unit had not been previously noted.
  • The 607th Military Police Battalion returned home in March 2004.
  • The 720th Military Police Battalion returned home in March 2004.
  • The 3rd BN, 18th Field Artillery Rgt returned home in March/April 2004. The redeployment of that unit had not been previously noted. 5th BN, 3rd Field Artillery Rgt also redeployed home around that time since it had originally deployed to Iraq in March 2003. Same with the 1st BN, 12th Field Artillery Rgt. The 6th BN, 27th Field Artillery Rgt is also believed to have returned home around that time-frame(the unit deployed to the Middle East in April 2003). As a result, the 17th Field Artillery BDE is not believed to be in the CENTCOM AOR.
  • The 321st Military Intelligence BN returned home, apparently in early 2004.
  • The 221st Military Intelligence BN (Tactical Exploitation) was incorrectly listed in the Iraq orbat. It appears that the unit deployed to Afghanistan where it was part of Coalition TF-180.
  • The Public Opinion (Chambersburg, PA) reported on Nov. 25 that the 458th Engineer BN had been in Iraq at Baghdad IAP since March. The deployment of that unit had not been previously noted.

Marine Corps

Air Force

Navy

Coalition

  • On Feb. 22, Australia announced that it would deploy an additional 450 troops to Iraq and would leave for Iraq within 10 weeks for an indefinite amount of time. The units are to be reportedly drawn from the 2nd Calvary Regiment and 5/7 RAR of the Darwin-based 1st Brigade and would include a Infantry company, a cavalry squadron and 40 or so LAVs. The unit would deploy for six-months to the Muthanna area. In addition, the deployment is expected to cost AU$300 million a year
  • Xinhua reported on Feb. 21, that Denmark had rotated its contingent of troops in Iraq that weekend at Camp Danevang, inside the British Shaiba Log Base; its fifth contingent to be rotated in.
  • A Feb. 17 MNF-I release reported that the fourth rotation of troops from El Salvador had taken place the day prior. AFP Reported on Feb. 10, that the unit was with the 4th Cuscatlan Battalion.
  • BBC Monitoring reported on Feb. 17, that the Romania was deploying troops for its IV Engineer detachment to Iraq.
  • The Italian Parliament voted on Feb. 16, to extend the deployment of its contingent to Iraq through June.
  • According to a BBC Monitoring report from Feb. 14, the 2nd Infantry Battalion from Romania had relaced the 812th Infantry Battalion at camp Mittica at Tallil Air Base. On Feb. 9, it reported that the new unit was the 2nd Calugareni Battalion.
  • AFP reported that Portugal would have withdrawn its troops from Iraq by Feb. 12. They left Iraq on Feb. 10, two days ahead of schedule
  • According to a BBC Monitoring report from Feb. 11, that Romania would send in March a new infantry Battalion to Iraq, thereby boosting the size of its contingent in Iraq.
  • BBC Monitoring International Reports reported on Feb. 2, that Romania was rotating its MP company in Nasiriyah.
  • A Baltic News Service report from Jan. 31, reported that there were some 120 Lithuanian troops in Iraq, with approximately 50 in both the British- and Polish-controlled sectors and another dozen or so at command posts in Baghdad, Babylon and Basrah.
  • ITAR-TASS reported on Jan. 28, that Russia's First Deputy Defense Minister had announced that the country would not send to Iraq its newly formed, 2,500-men strong, airborne-peacekeeping brigade.
  • BBC Monitoring reported on Jan. 27, that the 400+ tropps from Romania's Capathian Hawks(812th Infantry Battalion) had begun redeploying home.
  • A BBC Monitoring report from Jan. 25, reported that Romania had begun rotating troops for its contingent in Iraq and that the total number of Romanian troops in Iraq stood at 730.
  • BBC Monitoring Europe reported on Jan. 21, that the Bulgarian President, Georgi Purvanov, had in his address to the National Assembly, declared that while Bulgaria should withdraw its contingent from Iraq, it should not do so hastily. He called on the National Assembly to fix the end of 2005 as a deadline, while keeping open the possibility of extending it depending on UN, EU, or NATO involvement in Iraq.
  • MNF-I announced on Jan. 21, that a contingent of 46 Armenian soldiers had joined Multi-National Division Central – South. The troops were to become a part of the logistics battalion located in the city of Al-Hilla and be tasked with transportation and explosive ordnance disposal tasks.
  • BBC Monitoring reported on Jan. 18, that Lithuania woud not consider withdrawing its contingent of troops from Iraq until the end of 2005. The size of its contingent in Iraq is capped at 120.
  • BBC Monitoring reported on Jan. 17, that Armenia's contingent of 46 troops would leave the follwoing day for Iraq.
  • BBC Monitoring reported on Jan. 10, that Georgia would deploy between Jan. 10-20, another contingent of 500 troops from the Shavnabada Battalion, the 3rd Battalion of the 11th Brigade. After a 2 week acclimatation period in Kuwait, the unit was expected to deploy to Baghdad, Iraq, mainly to provide security to UN offices there.
  • On Jan. 10, 2005, the outgoing Ukrainian President, Leonid Kuchma, tasked his government's defense and foreign ministers to begin planning for the withdrawal of Ukraine's contingent from Iraq in the first half of 2005. Interfax reported that the 72nd Battalion mighe depart Iraq in the March-April timeframe, with the remaining Ukraininan troops being withdraw in the following two or three months.
  • According to a Jan. 7 Agence France Press report, Lithuania's Foreign Minister was quoted as saying that day that the country was considering withdrawing its troops after the elections.
  • BBC Monitoring reported on Jan. 6, that 169 Polish troops left for Iraq. It also reported that the troops from Poland's 3rd rotation of troops to Iraq would be returning home over that weekend and that the new contingent was expected to number 1,700 troops.
  • BBC Monitoring Europe reported on Jan. 4, 2005, that a farewell ceremony had been held that day for the next contingent of Polish troops to deploy to Iraq. According to the report, 1,700 troops from the 11th Lubusz Armoured Division would deploy to Iraq, in addition to 200 men from the 1st Pomeranian Logistics Brigade. The latter were to be deployed specifically for the Iraqi Elections. Poland's Deputy Minister of National Defence, Janusz Zemke, was quoted as saying that Poland would reduce its contingent of troops from 2,500 to 1,700 after the Iraqi elections.
  • AAP Newsfeed reported on Dec. 29, 2004, that elements of the Brisbane-based 6th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment; the Darwin-based 2nd Cavalry Regiment; and the Sydney-based 1st Military Police Battalion had deployed that day for Iraq to provide securirty for the Australian embassy there. The security detachment there was reported to number a total of 120 personel.

26 December 2004

DoD

  • On Oct. 30, 2004, DoD announced that it would extend the deployment of 6,500 troops in Iraq through the Iraqi elections, scheduled for late-January 2005. 3,500 soldiers from 2nd Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, and 3,000 soldiers from the 1st Infantry Division are affected by the move. The units were officially told about the deployment adjustment by their commanders Oct. 28. The affected troops, who had originally been slated for 10-month deployments, will now serve 12 months on the ground, the deployment timeframe most Army units serve in Iraq.
    In addition, the 42nd Infantry Division's upcoming deployment was to be adjusted by 30 to 60 days to avoid swapping out a headquarters element during the critical Iraqi election period. The unit's headquarters troops mobilized May 27 to train for their mission at Fort Drum, N.Y.
    The official request was made in late September, and Army Gen. John Abizaid, head of U.S. Central Command, made the decision Oct. 16, with the concurrence of Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld.

  • USA Today reported on Oct. 26, that the Pentagon was considering a temporary increase in the number of troops deployed to Iraq for the period surrounding the January elections there. The plans would call for increasing the length of tours for unit already deployed there as well as accelarating the deployment of unit scheduled to rotate to Iraq. The plan might raise troop levels in the country to as high as 160,000 troops. The need for additional US troops would stem from the lack of additional allied foreign troop contributions as well as a shortage of trained and qualified Iraqi troops. Options under consideration, and mentioned in the article, would call for delaying the redeployment of the 1st Cavalry Division, accelerating the deployment of the 3rd Infantry Division, using reserves stationed in Kuwait, or deploying units from the 82nd Airborned Division

CENTCOM

Army

  • The Associated Press reported on Dec. 24, on the return home of 260 troops assigned to the 21st Military Police Company, the 126th Finance Battalion and the 7th Transportation Battalion, 1st COSCOM
  • The Associated Press reported that the 502nd Military Intelligence Battalion had just returned home after a year spent in Iraq. The deployment of that unit had not been previously noted. During that time, the unit was stationed at Camp Victory
  • A Dec. 24, Associated Press story mentioned that the 28th Signal Battalion was in Baghdad and attached to the 39th Infantry Brigade
  • A Dec. 22, Associated Press story mentioned that the 445th Civil Affairs Battalion was set to deploy to Iraq although no timeframe was given for its deployment.
  • The Associated Press reported on Dec. 21 that the 185th Aviation Group would return home on Christmas Eve.
  • The Associated Press reported on Dec. 21, that the 30th Infantry Brigade (eHSB) (MECH) would begin returning home starting around New Year's Day.
  • The Idaho Statesman reported on Dec. 18, that the 116th Brigade Combat Team had arrived at its station in Northen Iraq.
  • The Associated Press reported on Dec. 17, that 330 members of the Vermont National Guard had received mobilization orders for an evential deployment to the Middle East. The Salt Lake Tribune reported on Dec. 15, that the 2nd Battalion, 222nd Field Artillery had been mobilized and move to Camp Shelby, Miss., in early January for training before deploying for Iraq. Almost 500 men are affected by the order.
  • According to the Great Falls Tribune' Dec. 12 reporting, the 1st Battalion, 163rd Infantry depart for Kuwait on Nov. 27.
  • A Dec. 14 Army News story reported that the 1,500+ paratroopers from the 82nd Airborne Division had begun deploying to Iraq on Dec. 3, with the first troops arriving at Baghdad IAP the next day. The units involved were the 3rd Battalion, 325th AIR, attached to 1st Cavalry Division's 3rd Brigade Combat Team and the 2nd Battalion, 325th AIR, attached to the 10th Mountain Division's 2nd Brigade Combat Team.
  • A Dec. 12, MNF-I/MNC-I News Release stated that the 13th COSCOM had transferred authority that day to the 1st Corps Support Command. It was unclear at the time which units assigned to either COSCOM were still in Iraq or were to be rotated in/out.
  • An Dec. 10, article in USA Today mentioned that the 276th Engineer Battalion was in Iraq and operating in Mosul. The deployment of that unit had not previously been noted.
  • According to a Dec. 9 Chicago Tribune piece, about 140 troops of the 133rd Signal Battalion will deploy to Iraq in support of the 48th Infantry Brigade.
  • The Honolulu Advertiser reported on Dec. 9, that the 322nd Civil Affairs Brigade had been told to prepare for mobilization and would deploy to Iraq, sometimes after the Iraqi general elections of Jan. 30, 2005, likely in early-to-mid-2005.
  • The Christian Science Monitor reported on Dec. 9, that the 4th Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division would deploy to Iraq the following month.
  • The Associated Press reported on Dec. 7, that almost all of the 10th Special Forces Group had deployed to Iraq in the weeks prior. No numbers or information regarding length of deployment were available.
  • According to a Dec. 7 Associated Press report, 182 troops from the 1st Battalion, 623d Field Artillery were mobilized in November for an eventual deployment to Iraq.
  • The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported on Dec. 7, that 23 troops from the 184th Ordnance Battalion were deploying the day prior for Iraq. The unit was to be based near Baghdad IAP, but operate throughout the country with an approximate 200 technicians working with them there.
  • The El Paso Times reported on Dec.7 that 100 soldiers from the 263rd Quartermaster Company were deploying to Iraq. It also reported that in February, 600 soldiers from 1836th Transportation Company had deployed as well.
  • A Dec. 4 stroy by the State in Columbia, SC, reported that the 111th Signal Battalion and the 1st Battalion, 263rd Air Defense Artillery were in Iraq. The deployment of these units had not been previously noted.
  • The Pittsburgh Post Gazette reported on Dec. 3, that 2,400 National Guradsmen from Pennsylvania would be deployed to Iraq, in the state's largetst call-up since World War II. The troops are to begin mobilizing in January 2005. A piece in the Dec. 18 Pittsburgh Post Gazette clarified that the units affected are to be drawn from the 2nd Brigade, 28th Infantry Division. These are the 1st Battalion, 103th Armor, the 1st Battalion, 110th Infantry, and the 1st Battalion, 112th Infantry. Also affected by the call-up would be the 1st Battalion, 109th Infantry, the 876th Engineer Battalion, the 1st Battalion, 104th Cavalry, the 1st Battalion, 107th Field Artillery, the 128th Forward Support Battalion and the 228th Forward Support Battalion.
  • On Dec. 1, the Associated Press reported that the 450 soldiers from the 2nd Battalion, 130th Infantry had been activated for a possible deployment to Iraq.
  • A December 1, Navy NewsStand story reported that equipment for the 3rd Infantry Division's upcomig deployment to Iraq had begun being loaded on Nov. 29, aboard Military Sealift Command's large, medium-speed, roll-on/roll-off ships (LMSRs) USNS Sisler (T-AKR 311) and USNS Seay (T-AKR 302) in Savannah, GA. Together, the ships were to load more than 514,000 square feet of military cargo. ccording to an Associated Press report, the ships were to transport 2,250 ground vehicles and 40 helicopters for the 3rd ID.
  • A Nov. 30, New Orleans Times-Picayune article reported that the 418th Civil Affairs Battalion would deploy to Iraq in April 2005.
  • The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported on Nov. 28, that the 1st Brigade and 3rd Brigade of the 3rd Infantry Division would, along with the 278th Regimental Combat Team from Tennessee and the 116th Brigade Combat Team would fall under the 42nd Infantry Division in Iraq. Additionally, the report stated that the 4th Brigade and 4th Brigade of the 3rd Infantry Division would be supplemented by the 256th Brigade and the a href="/military/agency/army1ad-3bde.htm">3rd Brigade, 1st Armored Division, with the 2nd Brigade expected to be assigned responsibility for the Sadr City neighborhood of Baghdad while the 4th Brigade is tasked with patroling the "Green Zone."
  • The Lancaster Sunday News reported on Nov. 28, that the 1185th Transportation Terminal Brigade had been activated and deployed to Fort Dix for training before deploying to DKuwait for a year.
  • The Associated Press reported on Nov. 24, that approximately 100 men from the 1st Battalion, 245th Aviation, from the Oklahoma National Guard would deploy to Iraq by the end of the month.
  • The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported on Nov. 21, that the 2,800 troops from the 48th Infantry Brigade would be mobilized on December 15, and report to Ft. Stewart for training in January. An additional 500 National Guard soldiers would join them and soldiers previously mobilized before deploying to Iraq in late-April, early-May 2005.
  • The Chattanooga Times Free Press reported on Nov. 20, that the 278th Armored Cavalry REGT began deploying on Nov. 19, to Iraq, via Kuwait. Flights carrying the unit's troops wer expected to last throught the weekend.
  • The Associated Press reported that 150 troops from A Co., 434th Main Support Battalion had been activated for an eventual deployment to Iraq. The unit would leave on Nov. 29 for Ft. Benning for training.
  • The Columbus Ledger-Enquirer reported on Nov. 19, that the 3rd Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division would be stationed near Baqubah when it deploys to Iraq.
  • The Florida Times-Union reported on Nov. 18, that the 297th Military Intelligence Battalion deployed for Iraq on Nov. 17.
  • A Army News Story from Nov. 17 reported that approximately 300 paratroopers from the 1st Squadron, 17 Cavalry, 82nd Airborne Division had deployed to Iraq from Green Ramp, Pope Air Force Base, on Nov. 11-12, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
  • The Jackson Sun reported on Nov. 16, that 150 troops from the 230th Engineer Battalion would activate on Nov 18, for a likely deployment to Iraq.
  • The Associated Press reported on Nov. 13, that the 30th Infantry Brigade (eHSB) (MECH) might return home in January 2005.
  • The Associated Press reported on Nov. 12, that 350 or so members of the 44th Medical Command had left that day for Iraq. The 44th Medical Command Task Force in Iraq is to comprise approximately 3,400 personnel once in theater.
  • The Idaho Statesman reported on Nov.11 , that 1,600 troops from the 116th Cavalry Brigade would leave for Kuwait, enroute to Iraq, the day after Thanksgiving.
  • The Iowa State Daily reported on nov. 11, that the 394 Corps Support Battalion had returned home on Nov. 10, after having spent 10 months deployed in Kuwait at Camp Virginia where it was tasked with maintaining an army base camp.
  • The Macon Telegraph reported on Nov. 11, that about 1,300 members of the 48th Infantry Brigade would be activated in early December and begin undergroing training. The article also reported that an additional 2,300 members of the unit were expected to be also called up in January 2005. According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the unit received its mobilization orders on Nov. 9.
  • An Army News Story from Nov. 10, reported that an advance party numbering moer than 500 soldiers from the 42nd Infantry Division had departed for OIF 3, to staging areas in Kuwait, at the end of October, in preparation for TF Liberty's upcoming deployment.
  • The Associated Press reported on Nov.7, that more than 250 soldiers from the 39th Infantry Brigade had returned to the US the previous day. These troops returned home early as a result of having been deployed overseas to Egypt in 2002.
  • The Dayton Daily News (Ohio) reported on Nov. 4, that 480 soldiers from the 612th Engineer Battalion were being mobilized in mid-November for deployment to Iraq.
  • The Newark Advocate reported on Nov. 4, that 200 men from the 211th Maintenance Company had been mobilized for duty in Iraq.
  • The Associated Press reported on Oct. 31, that the 812th Transportation Battalion had redployed home after 8 months in the Middle East.
  • The Associated Press reported on Oct. 31, that the approximaterly 3,700 men of the 256th Brigade had arrived at Camp Victory North
  • The 0lympian reported on Oct. 30, that the 3rd BCT, 2nd Infantry Division had returned home.
  • The Tacoma News Tribune reported on Oct. 30, that 800 soldiers from the 62nd Medical Brigade would be deploying over the forthcoming weeks to Iraq, Kuwait and Qatar.
  • The Associated Press reportedon Oct. 29, that 200 troops from the 1st Battalion, 126th Aviation Regiment left for training in preparation of their deployment to SouthWest Asia for 12 months.
  • The Associated Press reported on Oct. 28, 2004, that the 278th Armored Cavalry REGT would begin deploying for Iraq, via Kuwait, in the days following Veterans' Day (Nov. 11, 2004).
  • During the Annual Association of the U.S. Army Annual Meeting, Army Chief of Staff Gen. Peter J. Schoomaker and Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Richard A. Cody discussed deployments, and cited the need for maintaining deployment length at 12 months. This was a result of the need to fight an adaptable enemy requires troops with experience on the ground. Shorter deployments would mean more troops per year needing “greening” time in theater to gain that experience. This was also a reason the rotation between Operation Iraqi Freedom 2 and 3 forces is being conducted across about a nine-month period rather than the roughly 45 days it took to swap out OIF 1 with OIF 2. As well, deployment lengths of 12 month reportedly allow Soldiers to establish and maintain contacts with the local population -- not only to win their “hearts and minds,” but also for gathering intelligence on the insurgency, while shorter tours would mean greater demand for National Guard and Reserve units to mobilize than currently is the case. Furthermore, ongoing efforts to rebalance the force among the types of units in the active, Guard and Reserve, with the Army planning to convert 100,000 positions, means a number of Soldiers remain unavailable to deploy due to retraining requirements.
  • The Associated Press reported on Oct. 25, that the 3rd Battalion, 116th Cavalry was slated to be stationed north of Baghdad in December.
  • The Akron Beacon Journal reported on Oct. 22, that 200 men from the 1st Battalion, 107th Armor had been mobilized for an eventual deployment to Iraq. 154 men from the unit are already deployed in Iraq.
  • The 983rd Engineer Battalion (Combat) (Heavy) was mobilized in late September.
  • An article by the Associated Press reported on Oct. 22, that the 306th Military Police Battalion had been activated on Oct. 18 for a later deployment to Iraq.
  • The Advocate (Baton Rouge, Louisiana) reported on Oct 20, that the 256th Brigade was already in Kuwait and would move into Iraq in the next couple of weeks.
  • An Oct. 15 Army News story reported that the 98th Division (Institutional Training) would be deploying more than 700 troops to Iraq to help train that nation’s new Army. The unit would also provide command and control of advisory support teams as part of the Army’s new Foreign Army Training Assistance Command or FA-TRAC. The deployment was scheduled to take place over the forthcomign two months.
  • An article in the Oct. 18 Los Angeles Times, mentioned that the 425th Civil Affairs Batttalion had left Iraq and returned to the US.
  • On Oct. 18, 2004, DoD announced the death of two soldiers in Karabilah from the 9th Psychological Operations Bn, 4th Psychological Operations Group (Airborne). The deployment of that unit had not been previously noted.
  • On Oct. 18, 2004, DoD announced the death of a soldier in Mosul from the 1st Battalion, 25th Avitation assigned to TF Baghdad. The deployment of that unit had not been previously noted.
  • An Oct. 17, story by the Daily Press mentioned that most of the 7th Transportation Group was based at Camp Arifjan.
  • The Gazette (Colorado Springs) reported on Oct. 16, that 1000 soldiers from the 10th Special Forces Group would deploy to the Middle East in the Fall, presumably Iraq.
  • On Oct. 16, 2004, DoD announced the death of a soldier in Mosul from the 2nd Battalion, 197th Field Artillery assigned to TF Olympia. The deployment of that unit had not been previously noted.
  • On Oct. 16, 2004, DoD announced the death of a soldier in Mosul from the 426th Civil Affairs Battalion assigned to TF Olympia. The deployment of that unit had not been previously noted.
  • The St. Cloud Times (MN), reported on Oct. 15, that troops from the 1st Battalion, 194th Armor were being activated for an evntual deployment to Iraq. Not the entire unit was bing activated given the recent return of part of the unit's soldiers from deployment to Bosnia and Honduras in May and June.
  • The Des Moines Register reported on Oct. 15, that the 224th Engineering Battalion's 500 troops deployed for Iraq for a duration of 15 months on Oct. 14.
  • The Associated Press reported on Oct. 15, that the 114th Area Support Group 120 or so soldiers were expected to return home on Oct. 18. The Hattiesburg American, itself reported on Oct. 1, that the unit was returning three months earlier than expected as a result of the unit replacing it having already arrived at station. While deployed it was assigned to the 377th Theater Support Command,
  • The Associated Press initially reported on Oct. 15 that 600 members from the Vermont Army National Guard's 86th Brigade were being deployed to Iraq. The Vermont Guard Burea later clarified that the troops were being sent to the CENTCOM AOR, but not to Iraq or Afghanistan on a security mission where they would be tasked with guarding buildings, airports and other critical areas.
  • The Lancaster New Era mentioned on Oct. 15, that the 303rd Military Intelligence Battalion (Operations) deployed to Iraq in January 2004. In parallel, the unit is attached to the 504th Military Intelligence Brigade also deployed in Iraq with III Corps Headquarters. Other units under the 504th MI Bde include the 15th Military Intelligence Battalion (Aerial Exploitation), the 221st Military Intelligence Battalion (Tactical Exploitation) (Georgia Army National Guard), and the 321st Military Intelligence Battalion (Corps Support) (U.S. Army Reserves).
  • On Oct. 15, 2004, DoD announced the death of a soldier from the 4th Battalion, 5th Air Defense Artillery assigned to TF Baghdad. The deployment of that unit had not been previously noted.

Marine Corps

Air Force

  • The Minneapolis Star Tribune reported on Nov. 2, that the 200-300 emembers of the 148th Fighter Wing were likely to deploy to Iraq early next year. According to the press report, the deployment would also involve several F-16 fighters