The US is sending up to 100 additional Marines to Afghanistan to strengthen its force in Helmand province, the Pentagon confirmed Tuesday.
 
The deployment, first reported by NBC News, will be to bolster Marines who are already deployed to the US Central Command area of operations, said US Central Command spokesman maj. Josh Jacques. 
 
"It will increase the capability for the commander on the ground," Jacques said.
 
The report said a spokesman for Resolute Support, NATO's train and assist mission in Afghanistan, also confirmed the move. He said the forces would be deployed "for a short period of time to assist Marines already there" advising Afghan forces as they fight the Taliban.
 
The US advisers are typically attached to Afghan fighting units to assist with ground strategy and airstrike coordination, according to report.
 
There are about 8,500 US forces in Afghanistan conducting counter-terrorism missions against the Daesh group and other terror organizations. 
 
In addition, US forces support NATO's train, advise and assist mission to help Afghan forces fight the Taliban.