Pentagon IDs Four Units Bound for Iraq

ARLINGTON, Va. -- The Pentagon announced roughly 15,000 personnel in four units that will rotate into Iraq next summer as "advisory and assistance brigades" for 12 month tours.

By August, the total number of U.S. troops in Iraq is expected to drop to 50,000, according to the commanding general in Iraq, Gen. Ray Odierno.

These inbound units would make up part of that residual force: the 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, or BCT, of the 3rd Infantry Division, from Fort Stewart, Ga; the 2nd BCT, 25th Infantry Division of Wahiawa, Hawaii; and the 4th BCT, 1st Cavalry Division, from Fort Hood, Tex. Additionally, the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, from Fort Hood, Tex., is now slated to deploy.

Whitman also said two headquarters elements will stay deployed a bit longer: the 1st Cavalry Division Headquarters for no more than 23 days, and "some elements" of the II Marine Expeditionary Force for up to 79 days.

"Gen. Odierno talked to the fact that this is essentially to kind of close out the Marine mission there," Whitman said.