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US Forces Order of Battle - 1 March 2005

This is a "best available" listing of US forces deployed to the Central Command AOR for Southwest Asia and for US forces deployed to European Command's locations in Turkey, Romania and Bulgaria. It does not include forces deployed exclusively for operations in Central Asia though it may at times list units that are involved in both Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom. This listing also does not account for US or Coalition forces involved in operations in the Horn of Africa.

The task of developing a comprehensive listing of US forces present in the area is particularly difficult as the number of units rotating in and out of Southwest Asia are substantial. The events of Sept. 11, 2001 and the Global War on Terrorism has made such an effort significantly more difficult as the military seeks to improve operational security (OPSEC) and to deceive potential enemies and the media as to the extent of American operations. The significant number of troops that have been mobilized or activated in the United States for unspecified duties, whether they be in support of Iraq Freedom or in support of homeland security also complicates matters as it is not entirely clear what units are going where. This is further compounded by the increasing reliance on the part of the Department of Defense on the mobilization of small-sized units to fill its manpower needs. These can range from individual companies, batteries, to even smaller-sized groups of troops rather the mobilization of entire battalion-sized units.

This being the case, mistakes, misidentifications, or ignorance regarding specific units being in the region, or not in the region will occur.

Troop levels

Beginning in late December 2003, the United States began implementing the OIF 2 troop rotation that would begin to bring roughly 130,000 Army personnel out of Iraq and deploy roughly 110,000 troops into Iraq as replacements. The rotation was expected to last until late April 2004 but increasing security concerns in April caused the redeployment of forces to be put on hold for roughly 90 days. The Army was rotating in the 1st Cavalry Division, elements of the 1st Infantry Division, elements of the 25th Infantry Division, the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division and an additional three brigades from the Army National Guard.

OIF-3 Rotation

Beginning in July 2004, the United States began implementing the OIF 3 troop rotation. OIF-3 plans call for troops numbers to be reduced from 140,000 to roughly 130,000. The rotation was slated to take place until March 2005.

According to documents presented during a HASC hearing on July 7, 2004, US force disposition plans call for a Stryker Brigade to remain stationed in Northern Iraq. The 1st Brigade, 25th Infantry Division, will replace in this role the 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division. In the North-central sector of Iraq, The 1st Infantry Division will be replaced by the 42nd Infantry Division of the NY National Guard, while II MEF will take over I MEF operations in Western Iraq. The Brigade of the 1st Armored Division attached to the Polish south-central sector, will be replaced by the 2nd Brigade, 10th Mountain. Finally, the 3rd Infantry Division will take over the 1st cavalry Divison in Baghdad. As part of the rotation, OIF units will be deploying 'heavy'.

The number of Army National Guard brigades in Iraq will increase during this rotation from three to five. The rotation will mark a first with a National Guard division headquarters (42nd Infantry Division) assuming, for the first time in Iraq, command active-duty brigades.

With the planned January 2005 elections scheduled to be held in Iraq, the deployment of a number of units taking part in OIF 2 was extended in a manner similar to units which took part in OIF 1; this time in order to boost the number of troops in Iraq in time for the elections. The extension combined with regularly scheduled deployments and reinforcements would boost the US force in Iraq from 17 to 20 brigades and to an official and approximate figure of 153, 000 troops.

This figure may, however, be an undercount of actual in-country troop numbers, as Special Forces have been reported to generally be excluded from troop totals. As such, the total figure of US troops in Iraq may be higher than the official count of ~150,000 by multiple thousands. One such Special Forces unit, the 10th Special Forces Group deployed to Iraq in late-2004, for an undetermined length of time.

CENTCOM AOR

As of early March 2004 over 114,000 US personnel and over 23,000 coalition personnel from 35 nations were deployed in Iraq. Over 26,000 US and Coalition personnel were deployed in Kuwait, providing logistical support to Operation Iraqi Freedom. As of mid-April 2004 the number of troops in the Central Command Area of Responsibility was officially estimated at between 200,00 and 225,000 total. Inside the Horn of Africa there were around 1,200 that dedicate or focus themselves on the Horn of Africa. In Afghanistan there were around 20,000.

An additional 30,000 soldiers are estimated to be operating in Kuwait and other areas of the region supporting operations in Iraq. Thus, the total number of soldiers in Southwest Asia is believed to be about 170,000.

The US Air Force's Expeditionary Air and Space Force (EAF) concept and organization sets a guideline for Air Force deployments to operational locations. The EAF is comprised of 10 Aerospace Expeditionary Forces (AEF) each with lead combat and support wings including on-call wings that could be deployed if required. While deployments for active duty units generally lasts roughly 90-days, Reserve and Guard units deploy typically for 30 - 60 days. 17,000 airmen were deployed in the CENTCOM AOR according to Stars and Stripes on May 26, 2004.

Naval units include a headquarters and shore-based units comprised of about 1,200 people at Manama in Bahrain. Nearly a thousand civilian mariners are associated with Military Sealift Command ships at Diego Garcia. During the 1990s overall Naval force personnel levels in the CENTCOM AOR typically varied between 8,000 and 15,000. Each Carrier Battle Group, with its associated Carrier Air Wing, has approximately 11,000 sailors embarked. As of 13 July 2004 there was one carrier strike group and one expeditionary strike group in the area for a total of around 17,000 naval personnel. A total of about 313 Vertical Launch System cells are available for Tomahawk cruise missiles, though based on estimates of prior deployments, perhaps as many as 156 Tomahawks are actually deployed. The cruise missile force can be augmented significantly within days.

The Marine presence in Iraq is centered around the I Marine Expeditionary Force and the 1st Marine Division. Two Marine Expeditionary Units, the 11th and 24th MEU are deployed in Iraq. They were joined later by the 31st MEU. One Marine Expeditionary Unit is also in the region, though it is currently supporting operations in Afghanistan [and are thus not included in this tally]. On July 7, 2004, Lt. General Jan C. July, Deputy Commandant, Plans, Policies, & Operations, USMC, testified that 26,427 Marines were deployed in Iraq. An additional 657 were deployed in the Horn of Africa. Marine tactical units deploy for seven months. Headquarters and command elements deploy, however, for 12 months periods.

Army/Reserve Component Distribution
OIFActiveReserve
175%25%
261%39%
357-58%42-43%

Army National Guard/Reserve Troop Numbers
OIFNational GuardReserve
233,00020,000
337,00017,000

According to July 7 testimony by Lt. General Jan C. July, the Marine Corps troop component distribution was at about 20% Reserves and 80% active duty.

Note: While this listing is dated, one should keep in mind that the page is often edited numerous times during a particular edition, sometimes daily. One should visit the page often to get the most up-to-date listing of the situation.


Recent Developments

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 , 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.
  • The United Kingdom announced on January 10, 2005, that it would deploy more troops to Iraq in order to help boost security support for the upcoming Iraqi elections. The UK would deploy an additional 400 troops from the 1st Battalion, "The Royal Highland Fusiliers," "for a limited period of time" as security reinforcements. The Cyprus-based battalion, known as the "Extremely High Readiness Reserve battalion," would deploy to Iraq to join Multinational Division (Southeast).
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • The South Korean parliament voted on Dec. 31 to extend the deployment of its contingent in Iraq for a period of one year.
  • 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.
  • Associated Press reported on Dec. 24, that Armenia's Parliament had approved that day by a vote of 91-23 the deployment of a contingent of 46 troops to Iraq. The troops's role would ostensibly only be to only conduct humanitarian operations. They would be assigned to the Polish Area of Responsibility. It was not exacly clear when the troops would be deployed, though it could happen as early as January 2005.



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