Washington, Dec 20 (DPA) The US is sending a further 3,000 troops to Afghanistan early next year in support of some 30,000 already there in the conflict with the Taliban, media reports said Saturday.
They said Defence Secretary Robert Gates, who will remain in office when Barack Obama takes over as president Jan 20, signed the order in response to a request from General David McKiernan, US and NATO commander in Afghanistan.
Gates ordered the deployment of an additional combat aviation brigade, officials were quoted as saying. They would be equipped with attack and transport helicopters.
Three or four combat brigades would follow in late spring or early summer in response to the request by McKiernan for at least 20,000 extra troops.
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