And here comes the second surge…

President Barack Obama has ordered a Marine expeditionary brigade and an Army Stryker brigade combat team — totaling 12,000 soldiers and Marines — to Afghanistan.

Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates signed the orders today. The soldiers are part of the 2nd Infantry Division’s 5th Stryker Brigade Combat Team based at Fort Lewis, Wash., and the Marines serve with the 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade from Camp Lejeune, N.C.