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Fort Drum's 2nd BCT Ready For Return To Afghanistan

Story Published: Dec 11, 2012 at 7:39 PM EDT

Story Updated: Dec 19, 2012 at 5:10 PM EDT

Around 2,000 soldiers from Fort Drum's 2nd Brigade Combat Team are preparing for a deployment to Afghanistan this winter.

Officials say fewer troops does not mean sacrificed security.

"We made sure we would not compromise on any type of security for the brigade whether it's from internal threats or external," said 2nd BCT Commander Colonel Dennis Sullivan.

On Tuesday, the troops prepared in an array of areas including language, communication through satellite and between vehicles, and spotting improvised explosive devices.

Trainers say the preparation is going smoothly.

"They're all identifying what we want them to identify, they're getting some distance between themselves and the hazard and they're doing what they're supposed to be doing on the radio," said Staff Sergeant Matthew Taylor of the 2nd BCT.

Officials say the difference with this brigade is that soldiers will be taking more of a hands-off approach.

When the soldiers deploy to Afghanistan, they will be training Afghan soldiers to handle military duties on their own, which requires a different mindset.

The soldiers will deploy throughout January.
 
Saturday, May 25, 2013
, Watertown, NY

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