11 Light Brigade to replace 19 Light Brigade in Afghanistan

11 Light Brigade will replace 19 Light Brigade in October 2009 as the lead formation of UK forces in Afghanistan the Secretary of State for Defence Bob Ainsworth has announced today, Wednesday 15 July 2009.

11 Light Brigade will command the majority of British units serving in Afghanistan. Their deployment is expected to last until April 2010.

While 11 Light Brigade has been specifically formed for Operation Herrick 11 with all the force elements coming from other formations across the field army, as an entity the units that make up 11 Light Brigade have been preparing together for their Afghanistan deployment for some time.

The majority will serve on operations for six or so months. As part of this commitment, we expect up to 21 members of the sponsored reserves to be in theatre at any one time.