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Army Chief Of Staff 'Misspoke' About Fort Drum Troops In Africa

Story Published: May 17, 2012 at 1:28 PM EDT

Story Updated: May 25, 2012 at 11:37 AM EDT

A day after the Army's chief of staff said a combat brigade from the 10th Mountain Division will be assigned to Africa, a Pentagon spokesman says General Ray Odierno "misspoke".

On Wednesday, Odierno said a combat brigade from the 10th Mountain Division will be assigned to the Pentagon's Africa Command next year in a pilot program that will send small teams of soldiers to countries around the continent to do training and participate in military exercises.

Fort Drum said its Headquarters Brigade is going.

However, Pentagon spokesman George Wright said Thursday that Odierno "misspoke" and the 10th Mountain Division is not going.

"No unit from the 10th will be assigned that particular role as a regionally aligned force to U.S. - Africa command," said Odierno.

He said he was not at liberty to comment on which unit will be deployed.

This pilot program sends troops to an area that has become a greater priority for the Obama administration since it includes several nations where terrorist groups are an increasing threat to the U.S. and the region.

Read the Department of Defense news briefing with General Odierno
Sunday, May 19, 2013
, Watertown, NY

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