The 82nd commanders say they have known for some time now the order was coming down from Pentagon generals, but what is a little surprising is the timing.
Last April, the 82nd Commander came home from Afghanistan after a 15 month tour of duty there.
The 82nd Commanding General then was General David Robriguez. He moved onto another assignment shortly after that homecoming.
The 82nd new Commander General Curtis Scaperottie, a long with about 800 82nd soldiers, will lead this mission, taking over command from the 101st.
The other unit scheduled to deploy is the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division from Ft. Carson, Colo.
The DOD said in a news release that the purpose of the forces will be to support the Afghan government, perform counter-terrorism operation, assist with reconstruction and train and equip Afghan security forces.
The Pentagon says the 82nd's latest marching orders are part of a routine deployment, but comes at time when U.S. deaths in Afghanistan have spiked in the first two months of 2009.
The defense department also said, "this U.S. force rotation may be tailored based upon changes in the security situation."
Last week President Obama ordered an additional 17,000 soldiers and marines to Afghanistan to bolster American forces there.
