Oregon Public Broadcasting

Another Fort Lewis-based Army Brigade is shipping out. This time it's the 4th Stryker Brigade. It's headed to Iraq for a one-year deployment. Correspondent Austin Jenkins attended a farewell ceremony Tuesday.

As an Army band played, the 4000 soldiers stood in formation on Watkins Field at Fort Lewis.

This is the 4th Stryker's second deployment to Iraq and it comes ten months earlier than originally scheduled.

This time though Brigade Commander Colonel John Norris expects a different environment.

John Norris: “I have been in Iraq at its most ugly state and I'm looking forward, I'm anxious to go back over there and see the progress. I am confident that the Iraqis are in control and my job is to ensure they maintain control.”

Back in June, the 5th Stryker Brigade deployed to Afghanistan. Two of those soldiers have already been killed by a roadside bomb.

By January of next year, 18,000 Fort Lewis troops will be overseas – that's nearly two-thirds of the post.