Schofield soldiers preparing for deployment

Associated Press

More than 7,000 Hawai'i soldiers will be sent to Afghanistan in two deployments next year in support of the war on terrorism, Army officials said Wednesday.

It would be the largest deployments from the 15,000-soldier 25th Infantry Division-Light at Schofield Barracks since the Vietnam War.

"Our soldiers are extraordinarily well trained and ready for this mission in service of our great nation," said Maj. Gen. Eric T. Olson, commanding general of the division and U.S. Army-Hawai'i.

The soldiers are scheduled to deploy in two rotations of 3,500 each beginning in February. The second group will be deployed in August 2004, 25th Division spokesman Troy Griffin said.

The combat team's mission will be to conduct patrols, provide continued force protection and humanitarian assistance.

The division headquarters unit will serve as the Combined Joint Task Force headquarters for units in the country, the Army said.

"Taking care of our family members while our soldiers are deployed will remain a top priority," Olson said. "Our family readiness groups and Chaplain support programs will focus on the families so the soldiers deployed will know their families are taken care of while they conduct this important mission."

About 700 Schofield Barracks soldiers, nicknamed the "Tropic Lightning Division," remain deployed worldwide in the war on terrorism.

"We take great Tropic Lightning pride in answering our nation's call to fight and win the global war on terrorism," Olson said.

The division's largest deployment was a brigade of about 3,500 during the Vietnam War.