More Fort Stewart soldiers will deploy to Afghanistan this year as part of the Army's plan to shift from a combat mission to one primarily focused on advising and training Afghan forces.

The Pentagon announced Wednesday soldiers from five Army brigades — including the 2nd Brigade Combat Team from Fort Stewart in southeast Georgia — will depart between April and August. Only officers and senior noncommissioned officers, accounting for less than half the Georgia unit's manpower, will deploy.

It's the third time since January the Army has tapped units of Fort Stewart's 3rd Infantry Division for Afghanistan tours. It's a new theater for the division, which previously focused on Iraq.

Soldiers will divide into small teams assisting Afghan forces — much as U.S. troops did during the drawdown in Iraq.

Tags: Fort Stewart, Afghanistan, 3rd Infantry Division, 2nd Brigade Combat Team