After more than a decade of war in Afghanistan, there are now plans in place to bring troops home. Fort Bragg officials said the timetable will not keep them from deploying soldiers there in the coming months.
Defense Decretary Leon Panetta said he would end the U.S. combat role in Afghanistan next year, a year earlier than planned. Troops would act as advisers and trainers in 2014.
The new timetable was announced as thousands of Fort Bragg soldiers were celebrating being home from Iraq, but they know their time stateside might be temporary
“I don't know who's going to be the last soldiers out of Afghanistan, but I do know that Fort Bragg will be deploying soldiers to Afghanistan,” Lt. General Frank Helmick.
Thursday the men and women in the 18th Airborne had a ceremony honoring their work in Iraq.
The soldiers and their families said they are not thinking about the next deployment, but are concentrated on making up for lost time.
“It is great to have him home, we had a lot of time over the break to bond again,” said Noelle Berg. Berg’s dad returned home from Iraq days before Christmas.
Col. Stephen Berg said he will be ready no matter what mission comes his way. He said he hopes his dedication will send a clear message to his three children.
“Just to teach them that freedom is not free,” said Col. Berg.
Fort Bragg officials said the challenges in Iraq are far from over, but they have come a long way from a decade ago when the war started. They have a functioning military, freely-elected officials, and are improving government services.
The death toll of American soldiers in Iraq was 4,500.
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