FORT DRUM — A brigade from the post will become regionally aligned with the Pentagon’s Africa Command, placing them on standby where they could be deployed if necessary.

The alignment was announced Wednesday by Gen. Ray Odierno, the Army chief of staff, who said it was part of a pilot program to provide U.S. commanders with troops on a rotational basis to meet the military needs of their region.

The program would send small teams of soldiers to countries to train and participate in military exercises.

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