Pentagon Announces Afghanistan Force Deployment

News in Balance:

WSHINGTON, Dec. 22, 2008 --The U.S. Department of Defense announced today the deployment of the 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade, 82nd Airborne Division, from Ft. Bragg, N.C. The brigade will deploy approximately 2,800 soldiers to Afghanistan in the spring of 2009 to increase the capabilities of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF).

Upon the recommendation of commanders on the ground, the secretary of defense approved this request, which will increase the level of forces and military capability for NATO-ISAF.

The United States continues to be NATO-ISAF's largest troop contributor, and remains committed to leading the offensive in counter-terrorism operations in Afghanistan, training and equipping the Afghan national security forces and assisting with reconstruction. Force levels in Afghanistan are conditions-based and will be determined in consultation with the Afghan government and NATO.

(Report from a U.S. Defense Department news release.)

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