Ft. Campbell Unit Heads to Afghanistan

By Carrie Pond

Ft. Campbell, KY – As several thousand soldiers return home, one Fort Campbell unit is on its way to Afghanistan. The 159th Combat Aviation Brigade, also known as "Thunder Brigade," cased its colors during a ceremony Tuesday, signaling the beginning of a 12-month deployment to Afghanistan. Commander Col. Ron Lewis says the brigade is responsible for moving soldiers by air and avoiding improvised explosive devices. Other responsibilities include performing attack missions and supporting soldiers on the ground. The brigade includes about 3 thousand troops and will leave over the next two weeks. Their last deployment was to Iraq in 2006.