The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom:

• Spc. Steven J. Bishop, 29, of Christiansburg, Va., died March 13 in Tikrit, Iraq, while supporting combat operations.  He was assigned to the 422nd Civil Affairs Battalion, 352nd Civil Affairs Command, U.S. Army Civil Affairs and Psychological Operations Command, Fort Bragg, N.C.

The Department of Defense announced today the death of two soldiers who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. They died March 8 north of Al Kut, Iraq, of injuries sustained during a vehicle roll-over. They were assigned to the 203rd Brigade Support Battalion, attached to the 1st Battalion, 10th Field Artillery Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Benning, Ga. Killed were:

• Sgt. Aaron M. Arthur, 25, of Lake City, S.C.
• Spc. Lakeshia M. Bailey, 23, of Columbus, Ga.

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom:

• Sgt. Carlos E. Gill, 25, of Fayetteville, N.C., died Jan. 26 at Walter Reed Army Medical Center of an illness. He was evacuated from Kandahar Air Field, Afghanistan, Dec. 19, 2009, where he was supporting combat operations. Gill was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 1st Infantry Regiment, 5th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, Fort Lewis, Wash.

Additionally, the Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom:

• Pfc. Scott G. Barnett, 24, of Concord, Calif., died Jan. 28 in Tallil, Iraq, of injuries sustained while supporting combat operations.  He was assigned to the 412^th Aviation Support Battalion, 12^th Combat Aviation Brigade, Katterbach, Germany.

The Department of Defense announced today the alert for mobilization of a replacement unit scheduled to deploy in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.  Approximately 2,600 soldiers from the 29^th Combat Aviation Brigade, headquartered at Edgewood, Md., will begin deploying in the summer of 2011.

This rotation announcement reflects the continued commitment of the United States to the security of the Iraqi people.

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a sailor who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom: 

• Petty Officer 2nd Class Brian M. Patton, 37, of Freeport, Ill., died Nov. 19 in Kuwait in a non-combat accident. 

The Department of Defense announced today major units scheduled to deploy as part of the next force rotation in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.  The announcement involves three brigade combat teams, and one armored cavalry regiment totaling approximately 15,000 personnel. The scheduled rotation for these forces will begin in the summer of 2010.

These units will serve as advise and assist brigades and will replace redeploying units, with no increase in overall force levels. Specific units receiving deployment orders include:

• 4^th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 3^rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Ga.
• 2^nd Brigade Combat Team, 25^th Infantry Division, Wahiawa, Hawaii
• 3 ^rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, Fort Hood, Texas
• 4^th Brigade Combat Team, 1^st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, Texas

Additionally, the secretary of defense approved a request by the commander of Multi-National Forces-Iraq (MNF-I) to extend the deployment of the 1^st Cavalry Division Headquarters for up to an additional 23 days, and elements of the II Marine Expeditionary Force for up to an additional 79 days.

The extensions will ensure that key capabilities are maintained during the critical period following the January elections, and provide additional support for the orderly redeployment of the remaining Marine Corps forces and equipment.

The department recognizes the continued contributions of these units and their family members. 

DoD will continue to announce major unit deployments as units are identified and alerted.

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom:

• Staff Sgt. Thomas D. Rabjohn, 39, of Litchfield Park, Ariz., died Oct. 3 in Wardak province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated during an attempt to disarm it. He was assigned to the 363rd Explosive Ordnance Detachment, Coolidge, Ariz.

In addition, the Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom:

• Spc. Paul E. Andersen, 49, of Dowagiac, Mich., died Oct. 1 in Baghdad, Iraq, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked his camp using indirect fire.  He was assigned to the 855th Quartermaster Company, South Bend, Ind.