The Next Deployment Rotation

I've known it was coming and even thought I was prepared but I guess nothing truly prepares you. DoD announced today... our next rotation to Iraq. Somehow it just deflates your spirit. I liked it much better when it was hearsay and not black and white.


4th BCT, 4th Inf. Div. prepares for pending deployment in 2008
‘Cobra Brigade’ slated to join 1st Cav. Div.
The Department of Defense announced Tuesday (9 Oct) that the 4th Infantry Division’s 4th Brigade Combat Team will deploy in the summer of 2008 to support Operation Iraqi Freedom
Prior to its deployment, the brigade will be re-designated as the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division
Known as the “Cobra” Brigade, the deployment will be the unit’s second rotation to Iraq. The brigade officially activated in December 2004 as part of Army restructuring and deployed to Baghdad Iraq from December 2005 through December 2006.
“This brigade has trained extremely hard and will continue to do so in order to prepare our Soldiers for success in Iraq.” said Col. Philip Battaglia, the brigade’s commander. “In preparation for deployment, we will focus on our expected missions, train our Soldiers, take care of Families and strengthen our team,” he said.
The brigade will conduct rigorous pre-deployment training, which will include a rotation at the Training Center Fort Irwin, Calif, in November, and a spring rotation to the Joint Readiness Training Center at Fort Polk, LA.
Consistent with Department of Defense interim policy, the deployment is scheduled to last up to 15 months. The brigade consists of approximately 3,500 Soldiers and will deploy as a replacement unit for a brigade-sized element currently operating in Iraq.
In Sept., Gen. David Petraeus, the commanding general of Multi-National Force – Iraq, recommended a plan to Congress that would reduce forces in Iraq as long as it would not jeopardize security gains made in Iraq. The plan applies to a timeframe between now and July 2008. The 4th BCT’s deployment is planned for beyond that timeframe.
The “Cobra” brigade’s re-flagging to 4th BCT, 1st Cav. Div., is expected to occur in early 2008. The existing 4th BCT, 1st Cav. Div., which is based at Fort Bliss, is currently deployed to Iraq and will re-deploy in the coming months. After its return stateside, the brigade will re-designate as part of the 1st Armored Division.