The Third Infantry Division was notified by the Department of the Army today that the division headquarters and headquarters battalion will deploy to Afghanistan in August in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
The Division Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion is led by the division commander and his command group and consists of approximately 700 soldiers comprised of various staff components and the support element. Their mission is to serve as the command and control element of Regional Command South, one of four International Security Assistance Force regional commands responsible for all ISAF operations in Afghanistan. Additionally, the division headquarters will advise and assist their Afghan partners as well as provide logistical coordination, civil, administrative and infrastructure support to their area of operation.
Until November the Division Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion of Third Infantry Division had been preparing to deploy to Iraq in support of Operation New Dawn and potential follow on missions. The announcement by the President of the United States ended the timeline for the unit's deployment; however all the training and deployment preparation for Operation New Dawn established a firm basis of preparation for the new deployment mission the unit received.
The Division Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion is expected to deploy for a year. The new Deployment Period Policy was announced by the Secretary of the Army in August and took effect Jan. 1, 2012, but states division headquarters elements will deploy for a one year timeframe. The Division Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion anticipate returning late summer 2013.
This is the first time the Division Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion will deploy to Afghanistan. The Third Infantry Division commanding general, Maj. Gen. Robert "Abe" Abrams said, "The soldiers and leaders of the Marne Division are focused on this new mission and are diligently preparing for the new opportunities and challenges that we will face. I am fully confident in our abilities to accomplish this new deployment mission."
The Division Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion is battle-tested and manned by experienced Soldiers and Leaders of the Marne Division. Marne soldiers and leaders stand ready to answer our nation's call in support of this operation and other worldwide
contingencies. Third ID soldiers are highly disciplined, trained and ready to serve at a moment's notice.
The Third ID remains the Army's premiere decisive force; equipped with the latest technology and the right mix of capabilities to take on any mission required.