An M1A2 Abrams Main Battle Tank assigned to Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 12th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division maneuvers to the final objective during the company's situational training exercise in Kuwait, July 15, 2017. (Leah R. Kilpatrick/U.S. Army)

WASHINGTON – About 3,500 Fort Bliss soldiers will deploy this fall to Kuwait in a regular troop rotation to support Operation Spartan Shield, the Army announced Wednesday.

The soldiers with the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division will replace the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, which deployed in February, according to an Army statement.

The soldiers are expected to serve a nine-month deployment. Operation Spartan Shield is a combined forces contingency operation designed to deter and react to potential threats within the Middle East. The soldiers will also serve as a U.S. Central Command reserve force, which allows commanders to temporarily deploy troops in support of other operations throughout the region.

The unit has been preparing for its upcoming mission with “intensive and realistic training,” Maj. Gen. Pat White, the 1st Armored Division commander, said in a statement.

“This force is fully prepared and ready to take over their new mission in support of Operation Spartan Shield,” the general said.

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