The Department of the Army announced April 27 the summer 2017 deployment of approximately 200 soldiers from the 3rd Infantry Division Headquarters, stationed at Fort Stewart, to Afghanistan in support of Operation Freedom’s Sentinel.

The 3rd Infantry Division Headquarters will replace 1st Cavalry Division Headquarters at Bagram Airfield as the U.S. Forces-Afghanistan’s national support element.

"The Marne Division is trained and ready to deploy in support of this important mission," said Maj. Gen. James Rainey, commander of 3rd Infantry Division and Fort Stewart. "The number one priority at the 3rd Infantry Division is readiness and I am confident our soldiers are ready to serve our nation’s call."

The announcement from the Army came the same day the unit held a "base defense" live fire exercise on Fort Stewart.