Army Announces Deployments to Afghanistan, Korea for 2 Infantry Brigades

A soldier with 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, sits atop a staged vehicle at the port of Bremerhaven, Germany, on Oct. 18, 2019. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Thomas Mort)

Military.com | By Matthew Cox

Published December 05, 2019

The U.S. Army announced Thursday upcoming winter deployments of two infantry brigade combat teams to Afghanistan and Korea.

Soldiers from the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, stationed at Fort Drum, New York, will deploy in early 2020 to Afghanistan to replace the 3rd BCT, 82nd Airborne Division, as part of a regular rotation of forces to support Operation Freedom's Sentinel, according to a Dec. 5 Army news release.

"The 1st Brigade warriors are highly trained, disciplined and fit soldiers ready to win every mission the nation asks of them," Maj. Gen. Brian Mennes, commander of the 10th Mountain Division, said in the release. "They are soldier power -- the synergistic combination of concerned, skilled leaders and well-trained soldiers, which make the light infantry uniquely focused, lethal and ready."

Col. James Eldridge, commander of the 1st BCT, said the Warrior brigade is "ready at every echelon to support this mission, and we look forward to working with our international partners to help establish the conditions for long-term stability."

The Army will also deploy the 2nd BCT, 1st Infantry Division, stationed at Fort Riley, Kansas, in early 2020.

The Big Red One's 2nd BCT will replace the 3rd BCT, 1st Cavalry Division, as part of a regular rotation of forces to support U.S. allies in South Korea, according to the release.

"Dagger brigade soldiers are well-trained and ready to support any mission our nation asks of them," Col. Thomas Murtha, commander of the 2nd BCT, 1st ID, said in the release. "We are excited about our rotation to the Republic of Korea and look forward to strengthening our long-standing partnership with our allies."

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

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Related Topics: Military Headlines Army Deployment Afghanistan South Korea Fort Drum Fort Riley

Matthew Cox

Matthew Cox has been a defense reporter since 1998. During his time with Military.com he covered all the services, with a close eye on Army weapons development and procurement, body armor testing, camouflage, ammunition as well as readiness and training issues. He previously worked for 12 years for Army Times. He traveled to Afghanistan and Iraq numerous times from 2002 to 2008, covering Stryker and light infantry units in combat. He also spent four years in the U.S. Army during the second half of the 1980s, serving as an infantryman in the 82nd Airborne Division. Read Full Bio

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