Military

            The Department of Defense announced today the major units scheduled to deploy as part of the next Operation Iraqi Freedom rotation.  This announcement involves several combat brigades, headquarters elements, and combat support and combat service support units and approximately 92,000 service members as presently envisioned.  The scheduled rotation for these forces will begin in mid-2006.  Decisions made by the Secretary of Defense at the recommendation of military commanders in Iraq may result in changes to this rotation and may affect units now being identified and advised to prepare to deploy. 

 

            This rotation continues the U.S. commitment to OIF, yet is flexible and adaptable in order to meet the evolving requirements for the mission in Iraq.

 

            For Operation Iraqi Freedom, the major units announced today include:

 

            Division Headquarters, 25^th Infantry Division, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii

 

            13^th Corps Support Command, Fort Hood, Texas

 

            1^st Brigade, 34^th Infantry Division, Minnesota Army National Guard

 

            2^nd Brigade, 1^st Infantry Division, Schweinfurt, Germany

 

            3^rd Brigade,  2^nd Infantry Division, Fort Lewis, Wash.

 

            3^rd  Brigade, 82^nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C.

 

            3^rd Brigade, 25^th Infantry Division, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii

 

            2^nd  Brigade, 10^th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, N.Y.

 

            The individual services will announce the smaller, supporting units for this rotation.

 

            Additionally, the 1st Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, based at Fort Riley, Kan., previously notified to prepare to deploy in early December, has been advised it will not deploy prior to    Dec. 31, 2005. 

 

            In consultation with the Iraqi Government, commanders continue to assess the situation to ensure sufficient forces levels to best support the Iraqi government.  The U.S. force rotations may be tailored based upon changes in the security situation.  Iraqi security forces continue to develop capability and assume responsibility for security in Iraq.

 

            DoD will continue to release unit announcements as they are identified and alerted.   For information on the units announced today or other units involved in this rotation, please contact the service public affairs offices at the following numbers: Army, (703) 692-2000; Marine Corps,  (703) 614-4309; Navy (703) 697-5342; and Air Force, (703) 695-0640.