About 1,200 Marines in Afghanistan getting 30-day tour extensions , commanders say . Also , 200 additional support troops and several helicopters will be sent to southwestern Afghanistan to help with route clearance , engineering and additional aviation elements , officials said , citing orders that were signed last week . Such extensions necessary because of commitments in Iraq , commanders say . Earlier this year , deployment extended for 2,000 other Marines in Afghanistan .
About 1,200 Marines in Afghanistan getting 30-day tour extensions , commanders say . Such extensions necessary because of commitments in Iraq , commanders say . Earlier this year , deployment extended for 2,000 other Marines in Afghanistan .