Army sending some JBLM soldiers to Iraq for first time in years

TACOMA, Wash. (AP) — Joint Base Lewis-McChord soldiers are going to Iraq later this month for the first time in three years.

The News Tribune reports the Army is sending a small group of communications soldiers from the 51st Signal Battalion on a nine-month mission.

They'll join U.S. soldiers who have been dispatched to help Iraq forces respond to militants.

The United States withdrew troops from Iraq at the end of 2011.