Gates Approves Deployment of Aviation Brigade to Afghanistan

WASHINGTON --- Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates has approved the deployment of an Army aviation brigade to Afghanistan this spring, a Defense Department official said today.>> The deploying unit -- the 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade from Fort Bragg, N.C. -- will comprise about 2,800 soldiers and a fleet of rotary-wing aircraft, Pentagon spokesman Bryan Whitman said.>> The brigade will serve the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan mission as an enabling type of force for ground units, Whitman explained.>> This is part of the continuing commitment to increase our military capabilities in Afghanistan, he said.>> The plus-up supports an overall increase of U.S. forces in Afghanistan, which is expected to total about 25,000 additional troops, American Forces Press Service has learned.>> In addition to the deploying aviation brigade, the plus-up will include four brigade combat teams and other enablers, Whitman said. One of the brigade combat teams -- the 10th Mountain Divisions 3rd Brigade -- will deploy in January.>> -ends->