Washington, D.C. ? The Army said Friday that some 2,600 soldiers from a combat aviation unit will go to Iraq ahead of schedule, part of the support troops the Pentagon says are needed.

With their assault and transport helicopters, the extra brigade can help with attack and reconnaissance missions, air assaults and raids, and medical evacuations in support of combat troops already flowing in for the buildup.

The Army’s 3rd Infantry Division combat aviation brigade will go to Iraq 45 days earlier than planned, the Army said in a statement. That means the troops – the 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade, stationed at Fort Stewart, Ga. – will go at the beginning of May.

Officials said Gen. David Petraeus, the new U.S. commander in Iraq, had requested the air support and he wanted the buildup to move as quickly as possible.