WASHINGTON - The Pentagon said Tuesday the Georgia National Guard unit recently activated for duty in Iraq - including about 150 members based in Gainesville - is the only guard unit scheduled for deployment to the war zone in 2005.
The Pentagon said all are ground units and will be sent to Iraq starting the middle of the year.
The 48th Brigade, which includes the Gainesville-based 121st Infantry, includes about 4,500 members.
The Pentagon also said Tuesday two units will rotate to Afghanistan starting next year, including a Florida national guard unit.
The units will maintain the current level of U.S. military presence in each country, minus the extra troops being sent to provide security during the elections, military officials said.
The regular presence is roughly 138,000 troops in Iraq and 18,000 in Afghanistan; another 12,000 are being sent to Iraq to provide security for elections.
The units going to Iraq during the rotation beginning next year include:
- 101st Airborne Division, based in Fort Campbell, Ky.
- 4th Infantry Division, based at Fort Hood, Texas
- 48th Infantry Brigade of the Georgia Army National Guard.
- 1st Brigade of the 10th Mountain Division, based at Fort Drum, N.Y.
- 1st Brigade of the 1st Infantry Division, based at Fort Riley, Kan.
- 172nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, based at Fort Wainwright, Alaska.
The units going to Afghanistan include:
- 3rd and 4th Brigades, plus the headquarters, of the 10th Mountain.
- Headquarters element, 53rd Infantry Brigade, Florida National Guard.
(The Associated Press contributed to this story.)
Saturday
May 18th, 2024
8:15PM
