Army planning to send new Fort Lewis Stryker brigade to Iraq
Associated Press
Last updated: Friday, November 17th, 2006 02:51:41 PM

FORT LEWIS -- The Defense Department announced it will be sending another Fort Lewis Stryker brigade to Iraq next year.

The 4th Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division is the third Stryker brigade to form at Fort Lewis. The brigade has more than 3,000 soldiers. Operations are built around the wheeled Stryker vehicles.

Fort Lewis spokesman Joe Hitt says the newest brigade will be the first one to deploy will all ten versions of the Stryker -- each for specific purposes such as command or as gun platform.

Hitt says the brigade will have a big training exercise in December at Fort Lewis and undergo more training early next year at Fort Irwin, California.

Another Fort Lewis Stryker brigade -- the 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division -- is currently in Iraq.