Joint Base Lewis-McChord unit deploying to Afghanistan

The Defense Department is deploying about 700 soldiers from Joint Base Lewis-McChord to Afghanistan next summer to support combat operations.

The department said Friday the I (First) Corps Headquarters will serve as the International Security Assistance Force Joint Command Headquarters.

In a press release, Joint Base Lewis-McChord public affairs noted a historic aspect to the assignment:

This deployment will mark the second time since the Korean War that the I Corps Headquarters has deployed in support of combat operations.The unit returned in March from a similar mission in Iraq in charge of day-to-day operations.

An Army spokesman says the headquarters unit will be based in Kabul and work to ensure coordination with Afghan forces.

The deployment is expected to last one year.