FORT CARSON, Colo. (AP) -- Fort Carson soldiers headed to Afghanistan next year will help train and mentor members of the Afghan army.
More than 3,300 soldiers from the 1st Brigade Combat Team of 4th Infantry Division will head to Afghanistan next summer under a plan released by the Pentagon this week.
It's a big change for the unit, which has deployed to Iraq three times. Their new assignment is an important part of a plan by commanders to expand the role of the Afghan army and police in securing the country.
Members of the unit helped find former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein and pulled him out of his underground hideout in 2003. The 1st Brigade Combat Team was previously based at Fort Hood in Texas before it was moved to Fort Carson in July.
(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
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