Army Announces Spring and Summer Deployments to Europe, Middle East

The U.S. Army today announced a set of upcoming deployments that will send aviation, cavalry and support units to Europe, Iraq and Afghanistan in the spring and summer months of this year.

The deployments involve soldiers from Fort Hood, Texas; Fort Carson, Colorado and Fort Campbell, Kentucky and are part of regularly-scheduled deployment cycles.

The 3rd Cavalry Regiment stationed at Fort Hood will deploy to Iraq this spring as to replace 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division in support Operation Inherent Resolve, according to an Army press release.

The last time the 3rd Cavalry deployed to Iraq was in support of Operation New Dawn in 2011.

"The Regiment of Mounted Riflemen is a trained and ready force, just as it has been for the last 171 years, and we stand ready to answer the nation's call to fight and win anywhere in the world," Col. Jonathan Byrom, 3rd Cavalry Regiment commander, said in the release. "After spending the last several months conducting an intense training cycle, culminating with a National Training Center rotation, the troopers are well prepared for our mission.

"We look forward to working with the Iraqi Security Forces and coalition partners in continued support of the defeat of [the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria] and the effort to bring long-term stability to the region."

Beginning this summer, the 4th Combat Aviation Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, stationed at Fort Carson, will deploy to Europe in support of U.S. European Command's Operation Atlantic Resolve, according to an Army press release.

The 4th CAB will replace the 1st Air Cavalry Brigade currently serving in Europe.

"The 4th Combat Aviation Brigade is ready to deploy to Europe and work closely with our NATO and regional partners in support of Atlantic Resolve," Col. Scott Gallaway, commander of 4th CAB said in the release.

"Our focus on tough, realistic training over the last year has prepared us for this upcoming mission. I am extremely proud of our soldiers for their hard work and dedication. We are enormously grateful for the steadfast support of our families, and the ever-present support from the Fort Carson community."

The Army will also deploy the 101st Airborne Division's Sustainment Brigade from Fort Campbell to Afghanistan this summer.

The 101st Airborne Sustainment Brigade Headquarters and Special Troops Battalion will replace the 3rd Infantry Division Sustainment Brigade Headquarters and Special Troops Battalion in support of Operation Freedom's Sentinel.

"The 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) Sustainment Brigade is highly trained and ready to answer the call to sustain U.S. and coalition forces operating in Afghanistan," Col. Stan Sliwinski, the brigade commander, said in an Army press release. "This brigade is no stranger to Afghanistan, as this will be our fifth rotation there since 2001.

"We take great pride in our ability to provide world-class sustainment support, and we are excited for the opportunity to continue this effort while deployed."

--Matthew Cox can be reached at matthew.cox@military.com.