US Army sees largest deployment since Vietnam

The military of the United States is deployed in more than 150 countries around the world, with approximately 170,000 of its active-duty personnel serving outside the United States and its territories.

The Army has announced the upcoming rotations of three brigade combat teams that will deploy to overseas locations this summer.

“Army announces BCT overseas deployments coming up this summer" -- Kathleen Curthoys

The BCTs will replace units now deployed as part of regular rotations, the Army said on Friday.

The deployments this summer:

• The 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, out of Fort Bragg, North Carolina, will deploy to Afghanistan to support Operation Freedom’s Sentinel.

The 3rd BCT will replace the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, the Army announcement said.

“Our great paratroopers are honored to answer our nation’s call to deploy overseas,” said Col. Art Sellers, commander of the 3rd BCT, 82nd Airborne. “We stand eager and ready to work alongside our Afghan and coalition partners toward mission success in support of Operation Freedom’s Sentinel.”

The 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, stationed at Fort Hood, Texas, will deploy to South Korea.

The 3rd ABCT will replace the 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, as part of the regular rotation of forces in support of the Republic of Korea.

“The Greywolf Brigade is a highly trained and professional team of Soldiers always ready to answer our nation’s call,” Col. Kevin Capra, commander of the 3rd ABCT, 1st Cavalry said in a release. “Greywolf is no stranger to the Republic of Korea, having sent the U.S. Army’s first rotational battalion there in 2014. We look forward to once again working with our Korean partners and strengthening our nation’s alliance. After months of intense training, I know our troopers are ready and able to support this mission.”

The 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, U.S. Army Alaska, out of Fort Wainwright, Alaska, will go to Iraq.

• The 1st SBCT will replace the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, to support Operation Inherent Resolve.

“The Arctic Wolves are trained, equipped and exceptionally well led at echelon. The brigade has readied itself for any mission,” said Col. Matthew W. Brown, commander of the 1st SBCT, 25th ID. “We are privileged to be joining the international coalition that will defeat ISIS and set conditions for increased regional stability.”

Women's Day March changed the game

How are you continuing to forge a #BalanceforBetter after International Women's Day?

A collective action and shared ownership for driving gender parity is what makes International Women's Day successful. Gloria Steinem, world-renowned feminist, journalist and activist once explained "The story of women's struggle for equality belongs to no single feminist nor to any one organization but to the collective efforts of all who care about human rights." So make International Women's Day your day and do what you can to truly make a positive difference for women.

“A balanced world is a better world. How are you forging a more gender-balanced world? Celebrate women's achievement. Raise awareness against bias. Take action for equality.”

International Women's Day (March 8) is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating gender parity.

International Women's Day (IWD) has occurred for well over a century, with the first​ ​IWD gathering in 1911 supported by over a million people in Austria, Denmark, Germany and Switzerland. Prior to this the​ Socialist Party of America, United Kingdom's Suffragists and Suffragettes, and further groups campaigned for women's equality.

Is climate change really up for debate anymore?

“Is climate change really up for debate anymore?”