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172nd Stryker Units Continue Move Out to Iraq

Aug-18-2005 » Filed Under: 172nd SBCT

Link to Full Article with photo
PAO staff report

U. S. ARMY ALASKA – Deployment to Iraq began in earnest this week as Soldiers from the 172nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team from forts Wainwright and Richardson bid farewell to their families and friends and boarded aircraft for a 12-month tour.

Nearly 4,000 Soldiers from Alaska are scheduled to replace the 1st Brigade, 25th Infantry (Light), 2nd SBCT stationed at Fort Lewis, Wash.

The two units will work side-by-side for several weeks before the 172nd takes over the full mission.

About 200 SBCT Soldiers departed late last month as an advance element. The majority of the departures this week, about 3800, were from Fort Wainwright, while 100 Soldiers from 4th Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment left Fort Richardson.

The deployment is the culmination of training that began shortly after DoD announced in December that the 172nd would head to Iraq. Until the deployment began, the 172nd was the last active Army brigade that had not been shipped to Iraq.

Also deploying to Iraq were airmen from Eielson Air Force Base who left Sunday evening. The 3rd Air Support Operations Squadron has been training with the 172nd SBCT, and this will be the first time a joint effort with the Army and Air Force has taken place in combat using the Stryker vehicle.

The airmen will wear Army uniforms and the Army will provide their driver and the gunner.

The unit will provide a communication link between the two services using the Stryker’s enhanced communication systems.

The Air Force is expected to rotate out in six months.


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