Hagel approves 1,300 more troops for Iraq

Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel has authorized the deployment of up to 1,300 more troops to Iraq, the Pentagon announced Friday.

They are part of the additional 1,500 troops for Iraq that President Obama approved last month.

Approximately 1,000 of the troops will be from the Army 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division based at Fort Bragg, N.C., according to Pentagon spokesman Rear Adm. John Kirby.

The other 300 are deploying from multiple branches of the armed services, and would provide help in counterintelligence, logistics and communications, Kirby said.

The troops will likely be allocated to four sites in Iraq where they will train, advise and assist Iraqi forces.

“There are a great number of these troops that are gonna be involved in hands-on training of these Iraqi brigades,” Kirby said.