DoD Announces Changes to Afghan Missions, Units

The DoD has announced changes to the organization and missions of upcoming units deploying to Afghanistan.

The Army announced today a new mission to meet requirements in Afghanistan. Four brigade combat teams (BCTs), one separate brigade and an Army command, each in a modified configuration, will deploy between April and August 2012. Approximately 1,460 active component officers and senior non-commissioned officers along with approximately 300 DoD civilians will deploy in 18-person teams to provide training assistance to Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF).

The majority of those BCT soldiers and leaders not deploying will be reassigned to other units, in most cases on their respective installations. The remainder will focus on schooling, training, gunnery, and equipment maintenance and accountability.

Beginning in the 3rd quarter of fiscal 2012, these security force assistance teams will help to further generate, employ, and sustain the ANSF during the transition of security responsibility to the Afghan government and its security forces.

The units ordered to deploy are:

• 2nd BCT, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Ky.
  
• 2nd BCT, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Ga.
  
• 3rd BCT, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Carson, Colo.
  
• 4th BCT, 1st Armored Division, Fort Bliss, Texas.
  
• 162nd Infantry Brigade, Fort Polk, La.
  
• 1st Army, Rock Island Arsenal, Ill.

By: Brant