Colonel David Haight wrote a letter to members of the 10th Mountain Division's 3rd Brigade Combat Team, noting their sacrifices and stating that "it is probably often difficult to see the bigger picture (from individual foxholes)."

Haight asked that all soldiers "remain vigilant, alert, and continue taking care of your buddies."

When the Colonel spoke with Jeff Cole on the morning show in August of 2009, he noted that some of the obsticles his fellow soldiers were facing included harsh climates to adapt to and an elusive enemy that is frustrated, but clever in its attacks.

And while the 3rd Brigade Spartans continue their mission in Afghanistan, they may be receiving backup sooner than they think.

The 1st Brigade Combat Team's orders to go to Iraq have been canceled, 7 News reporter Jeff Cole learned Thursday nght.

Julie Cupernall, a spokeswoman for the 10th Mountain Division at Fort Drum, confirmed the change.

"This change in orders for the 1st BCT is the direct result of the drawdown of US troops that is currently happening in Iraq," Cupernall said.

Although there was no public comment from the military on the timing of the decision, it comes as President Obama considers sending thousands more troops to Afghanistan.

The President is weighing three options - adding 60,000 more troops, adding 40,000 more troops, or adding a much smaller number. The White House has said a decision will be made 'in weeks.'

The cancellation returns the 1st BCT to the military's pool of available combat forces.

According to an article in the Miami Herald, "four lighter brigades needed for Afghanistan's rough terrain - three from the 101st Airborne Division at Fort Campbell, Ky., and one from the 10th Mountain Division at Fort Drum, N.Y. - will be ready by December.  A fifth brigade, also from the 101st Airborne, could deploy by March."

However, Cupernall says that it is all speculation as to the preparedness of the brigade being ready to go.

The cancellation is also highly unusual because in the past troops have generally been issued a new set of orders at the same time a set of orders was canceled.

The 1st BCT was to depart for Iraq in January, with about 3,500 troops involved.

Colonel Haight's Letter to Soldiers

Miami Herald article

Colonel Haight's Phone Interview with Jeff Cole in August 2009