( CNN ) -- Approximately 1,200 Marines serving in southwestern Afghanistan will have their tours of duty extended by 30 days , Pentagon and Marine officials said . U.S. Marines take a break at Camp Dwyer , located south of Helmand province in Afghanistan . The Marines , most coming from the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center at Twentynine Palms , California , will come home at the end of November instead of the beginning of that month , the officials said . 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 . The Marines have been serving in Farah province as trainers for the Afghan army . They have been repeatedly attacked by insurgents and have been seeking additional firepower . Earlier this summer , the Pentagon approved plans to extend the tours of about 2,000 Marines serving in combat roles in Afghanistan 's Helmand province . U.S. military commanders say that until more troops are freed up from Iraq , such minor extensions are the only steps they can take to bolster their combat capability in Afghanistan .
About 1,200 Marines in Afghanistan getting 30-day tour extensions , officials say . Such extensions necessary because of commitments in Iraq , commanders say . Earlier this summer , tours extended for 2,000 other Marines in Afghanistan .