The US army is ready to conduct "sustained land combat operations" as part of US President Mr George W. Bush's promised war against terrorism, a senior official said today.
Army Secretary Mr Thomas White said at the Pentagon a troop deployment order signed by Defense Secretary Mr Donald Rumsfeld includes army as well as air force troops.
He said it was only the first step in a lengthy military plan in the hunt for Osama bin Laden, suspected of masterminding last week's terrorist attacks in the US.
"A lot more will come," he said. "We are ready to conduct sustained land combat operations as determined by the secretary of defense and the president," he said.
Mr White hinted the army is gearing up for a lengthy war that would involve every aspect of the force's combat power.
The US mission has been dubbed "Operation Infinite Justice", and fighters, bombers and support aircraft have been mobilised to begin moving to bases in or near the Gulf region.
The USS Theodore Rooseveltnuclear-powered aircraft carrier has left Virginia to join the two carriers already in position in the Indian Ocean.
So-called stealth bombers, B1s, will also be part of the force put within striking distance of Afghanistan. That force will be backed by U2 spy aircraft, flying tankers and reconnaissance planes, as well as ground support staff.
AP