ALBANY -- Soldiers from a New York Army National Guard unit will be sent to Afghanistan to help train and fight with that nation's military forces.
The Department of Defense says elements from the 27th Infantry Brigade Combat Team are scheduled to deploy early in 2012.
Eric Durr, a guard spokesman, says about 2,200 members of the headquarters, support, cavalry, artillery and other units are set to spend nine months in Afghanistan. Soldiers from the 27th were deployed to help train Afghan troops and police in 2008. Durr says Thursday that this mission will include training and going into the field with Afghan forces.
Members of South Carolina's 4th Battalion, 118th Infantry Regiment will be deploying along with the New York soldiers, bringing the total force to 3,000.
The 27th is based in Syracuse and draws soldiers from throughout the state.
