extension, the unit was sent to Baghdad to quell growing sectarian violence concerns. The infamous extension of the deployment had happened after some of the units of the Brigade were already touched down at their home base of Fort Wainwright, AK, forcing them to fly back to staging areas in Iraq. The extension occurred after the unit's regular 12-month tour was complete, making the deployment last for a total of 16 months. As a result of the unit's action in Iraq, the brigade was awarded the Valorous Unit Award. During this action, 26 soldiers of the brigade were killed in action, and another 350 were wounded. Ten additional soldiers in units attached to the brigade were killed. Inactivation 2006 Having returned from its extended tour in Baghdad, Iraq, the 172nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team was officially deactivated and the 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division was activated in its place on 14 December 2006. The brigade's six battalions and four separate companies were likewise reflagged as part of the change. The reflagged units were: 1st Battalion, 17th Infantry Regiment to 1st Battalion, 5th Infantry Regiment. 2nd Battalion, 1st Infantry Regiment to 1st Battalion, 24th Infantry Regiment. 4th Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment to 3rd Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment. 4th Squadron, 14th Cavalry Regiment to 5th Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment. 4th Battalion, 11th Field Artillery Regiment to 2nd Battalion, 8th Field Artillery Regiment. 172nd Brigade Support Battalion to 25th Brigade Support Battalion. A Company, 52nd Infantry Regiment to D Company, 52nd Infantry Regiment. 572nd Military Intelligence Company to 184th Military Intelligence Company. 562nd Engineer Company to 73rd Engineer Company. 21st Signal Company to 176th Signal Company. Reactivation in Germany As part of the Grow the Army Plan announced 19 December 2007, the Army will activate and retain two Infantry Brigades in Germany until 2012 and 2013. On 6 March 2008, it was announced that the 172nd Infantry Brigade would be activated as the first of these brigades, with the other being the 170th Infantry Brigade. On 17 March, the 172nd Infantry Brigade was formally activated in Schweinfurt, Germany by reflagging the 1st Infantry Division's 2nd (Dagger) Brigade, which relocated to Ft. Riley, KS. Colonel Jeffrey Sinclair was commanding the brigade at the time. The 172nd Infantry Brigade relocated to Grafenwöhr, Germany. The 172nd Infantry Brigade was activated with the following unit redesignations: Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 172nd Infantry Brigade (formed