The Department of Defense announced today that the 2^nd Brigade, 82^nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C. will deploy to the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility beginning in early January 2007 to become the theater command's call-forward force.

The brigade is replacing the 15^th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) which recently deployed from its call-forward location in Kuwait to support the ongoing operations of Multi-National Forces in Iraq. The call-forward force provides necessary theater capablitity and flexibility to the commander of U.S. Central Command.

U.S force levels in Iraq continue to be conditions-based, and are determined upon the recommendations of military commanders in Iraq and in consultation with the Iraqi government.

DoD will continue to announce major unit deployments as they are identified and those units are alerted. For more information on supporting units for this deployment contact Army Public Affairs at (703) 692-2000.