Two battalions from the 3rd Infantry Division’s 2nd Brigade Combat Team have received deployment orders to support Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan this year, according to a news release from Fort Stewart.

The 1st Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment and 1st Battalion, 64th Armor Regiment will deploy this year. These deployment orders affect approximately 1,600 troops and their families from the Marne Division.

The two battalions are expected to deploy for nine months as the U.S. Army begins transitioning to the new deployment period policy that was announced by the Secretary of the Army in August. The new deployment policy took effect Jan. 1. 

Recently, the battalions from the 2nd Brigade Combat Team have carried out a high-intensity training program focusing on full spectrum operations to maintain readiness for any mission anywhere anytime in defense of the nation, according to the release.

The 1st Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment, consisting of approximately 900 soldiers, makes up a portion of the brigade’s heavy combat capability. Its mission is to provide security to units conducting contingency operations in Afghanistan, as well as support for stability operations.

 The 1st Battalion, 64th Armor Regiment, consisting of approximately 700 soldiers, will deploy to support a Stryker brigade already deployed in theater. The battalion will increase the capability to perform multi-level, counter-insurgency operations and train Afghanistan National Security Force to lead security efforts in their country. The Stryker brigade currently is deployed from Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington.