What units from Bragg are still in Iraq?

During this past Tuesday’s video teleconference, LT. Gen. Frank Helmick conducted a round table with members of the local media reporting on facts and figures, victories and the question on everyone’s mind – when will all the troops be home?

As the drawdown wraps up, there are two locations in Kuwait that U.S. personnel are operating from: Camp Buehring and Camp Virginia. South of the Iraqi border, Camp Buehring is where the command and control elements operate from. Camp Virginia serves as a final stop for troops where they turn in their equipment, clear customs and board the planes back to their home stations in Europe or the U.S.

With just four weeks left in Iraq, there are 13,000 total troops left as they complete the reposture, with 3,500 of those from Fort Bragg. According to Helmick, a small number of 200 troops will remain in an Office of Security Cooperation Iraq, under the embassy umbrella, with the purpose of supporting signed military sales and to assist in CENTCOM’s Theater Security Cooperation Program.

Units still hard at work include: the 20^th Engineer Brigade headquarters, 2^nd Brigade, 82^nd Airborne Division, 1^st Theater Sustainment Command and elements fo the 82^nd Sustainment Brigade.

The 20^th Engineer Brigade, working alongside the XVIII Airborne Corps, have been top performers, going above and beyond what was expected of them, according to Helmick.

The 2^nd Brigade, 82^nd Airborne Division from Fort Bragg are tasked with solely controlling Baghdad and Al Anbar province. A sizeable area formerly staffed with two divisions of soldiers.

Elements of the 82^nd Sustainment Brigade have also served with the XVIII Airborne Corps, while the 50^th Signal Command just ended their mission in Iraq.

“The 1^st Theater Sustainment Command from Fort Bragg, under General Dowd, are regional heroes,” declared Helmick. “The things they are doing logistically are unbelievable.”

Helmick reported that commanders are closely monitoring every task and purpose as the drawdown nears, scrutinizing the minimal requirement of personnel and ensuring others are sent home if they are not needed.

“There will be a few soldiers left after Christmas due to equipment that needs to be turned over,” said Helmick. “We have to do what is responsible to make sure all the equipment, people and ammunition are accounted for. It’s an arduous process and we are doing this the right way.”

It sounds like the majority of servicemembers from Fort Bragg will be home for Christmas, making it the best present a family could receive.