XVIII Airborne Corps Deployment to Iraq Announced

The Department of Defense announced today the deployment of the XVIII Airborne Corps in support of Operation New Dawn. This headquarters element consisting of more than 750 service members will deploy in January 2011 to replace III Corps from Fort Hood, Texas.

The XVIII Airborne Corps will provide operational command and control to coalition forces. It also will continue development of the Iraqi Security Forces, support development of government capacity and help set conditions for political, economic and diplomatic progress.

XVIII Airborne Corps has been deployed to Iraq twice before, in 2005 and 2007.  The unit will replace redeploying units with no increase in overall force levels.

DoD will continue to announce major unit deployments as they are identified and those units are alerted. For information on this deployment, please contact XVIII Airborne Corps Public Affairs Office at 910-396-5600/5610.