Obama Putting 1,500 New Boots on the Ground in Iraq Warzone

Shore News Network

WASHINGTON-President Obama is putting new American boots on the ground in Iraq according to a message published out of New Jersey’s Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst.

“About 1,800 soldiers from two separate units will deploy to the war zone in the coming months, the Army announced Friday,” the base posted today on Facebook.  “About 1,300 soldiers will deploy to Iraq this spring to support Operation Inherent Resolve. The other 500 soldiers will deploy to Afghanistan for Operation Freedom’s Sentinel.”

The United States Army confirmed the upcoming deployment of the 101st Airborne Division.

The 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division – the “Strike” Brigade – stationed in Fort Campbell, Kentucky, will deploy with approximately 1,300 Soldiers to Iraq this spring in support of Operation Inherent Resolve. In addition, the 2nd Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade, 10th Mountain Division, stationed in Fort Drum, New York, will deploy with approximately 500 soldiers to Afghanistan this winter in support of Operation Freedom’s Sentinel. The Strike Brigade will advise and assist Iraqi Security Forces, replacing the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, which will return to Fort Drum. “2nd Brigade is ready, trained, well-lead and fully prepared to take on its new mission in support of coalition operations in Iraq,” said Maj. Gen. Gary J. Volesky, commander of 101st Airborne Division and Fort Campbell. “The brigade recently returned from the Joint Readiness Training Center in Fort Polk, Louisiana, where the soldiers validated their outstanding ability to conduct complex operations in any environment and win,” Maj. Gen. Volesky continued. “This ability will be critical in supporting the Iraqi Army.”


Meanwhile, the 2nd Battalion, 87th Infantry, 2nd Brigade, 10th Mountain Division will join the 10th Mountain Division Headquarters, currently in Afghanistan serving as the National Support Element at Bagram Airfield. “Our nation’s Army continues to call upon Mountain Soldiers to serve around the world in places like Afghanistan due to their proven record of high standards, mission success and selfless service,” said Maj. Gen. Jeffrey L. Bannister, commander of the 10th Mountain Division.

For more information on 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division’s deployment, contact Lt. Col. Chevelle Thomas, division public affairs officer at chevelle.thomas2.mil@mail.mil. For more information on 2nd Battalion, 87th Infantry, 2nd Brigade, 10th Mountain Division’s deployment,
contact Julie Halpin, Fort Drum public affairs officer at julie.a.halpin2.civ@mail.mil.

 

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