Fort Carson Troops To Deploy To Afghanistan

Approximately 3,000 4th BCT Soldiers will leave Fort Carson during the next several weeks for a deployment to Afghanistan.

KRDO NewsChannel 13 is at a color casing ceremony for these troops Thursday at the Mountain Post. A color casing ceremony is a time honored tradition to signify the troops are ready for deployment. The flags are packed up.

The brigade will serve in an advise and assist capacity during its nine-month deployment, training and developing Afghan security forces in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

In June 2010, 4th BCT returned from a year-long deployment to Afghanistan, where it assisted Afghan National Army and National Police forces with security, governance and peace keeping operations in Kunar and Nangarhar provinces.

In a separate announcement, the Army unveiled a new mission to meet requirements in Afghanistan which will send four BCTs, one separate brigade and an Army command, each in modified configuration, to Afghanistan between April and August.

The 3rd BCT, 4th Infantry Division on Fort Carson is among the units ordered to deploy. These units will provide training assistance to Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF).

The other units ordered to deploy are from Fort Campbell, Ky., Fort Stewart, Ga., Fort Bliss, Tx., Fort Polk, La., and Rock Island Arsenal, Ill.