Army shortens Afghanistan deployments to 9 months
1st Lt. Cory Dombrowski, 24, of South Bend Ind., with the U.S. Army's 2nd Battalion 27th Infantry Regiment based in Hawaii, takes position after being dropped off by a Blackhawk helicopter during an assessment mission to Observation Point Mace Saturday, July 9, 2011, days after insurgents attacked four outposts in the area killing some two dozen members of Afghan security forces in Kunar province, Afghanistan. (AP Photo/David Goldman)
Schofield Barracks and Fort Shafter soldiers and their families got good news from the Army that deployments to Afghanistan next year will be shortened by three months.
However, Col. Frank Tate, commander of the 25th Combat Aviation Brigade, said the change does not affect the 2,600 soldiers in his helicopter unit.
“As of today, we are still on a 12-month rotation,” Tate said.
Army Secretary John M. McHugh signed a directive instituting a nine-month "boots on the ground" policy for deployed soldiers, providing more "dwell time" at home for soldiers and their families beginning Jan. 1. Current deployments are for 12 months, with a goal of 24 months at home.
The 25th Combat Aviation Brigade is expected to begin flying missions in southern Afghanistan early next year. It is being sent to Kandahar, Helmand and other provinces in southern Afghanistan with 26 two-seat OH-58D Kiowa Warriors, 14 Chinooks and about 55 Black Hawks based here. This will be the brigade fourth combat deployment.
