Serving in Iraq info page 32

Alaska Guard unit called to active duty
By RACHEL D'ORO

ANCHORAGE--An Alaska Army National Guard unit is among dozens nationwide called to involuntary active duty in Iraq and Afghanistan, state military officials said Friday.

It's the first time an infantry unit from Alaska has been pressed into federal involuntary service since World War II, officials said.

"This is an important, historic event," said Lt. Col. Mike Bridges, deputy commander of 207th Infantry Group, which oversees the unit called.

"We've had units and individuals from the Alaska National Guard serve in Iraq and Afghanistan and Kuwait previously, but not infantry units," said Major Mike Haller, a Guard spokesman.

About 130 Juneau-based soldiers from the group's 297th Infantry have a month or so to gather at Fort Richardson near Anchorage before they depart to their assignment, Bridges said.

Officials said they will be stationed in Iraq but declined to say exactly where.

The Alaska company is among nearly 60 National Guard and Reserve units from a dozen states, including Hawaii, affected by the involuntary call-up announced this week by the Department of Defense. Defense officials notified the Alaska National Guard on Friday. The order was signed by President Bush.

The other states are listed in a confidential memo from the Pentagon, and Haller said Alaska officials were not at liberty to name them. Pentagon officials could not be reached late Friday evening to identify the other states.

In response to the call-up, Alaska Gov. Frank Murkowski formally mobilized the soldiers to their tour of duty, which is expected to last as much as 18 months.

"The president has asked and I've concurred with the involuntary call-up of a portion of our Alaska Army National Guard troops for duty in the global war on terror," Murkowski said. "We're extremely proud of their selfless service in our communities, throughout our state, and not to America, in this time of need."

Bridges said the Alaska soldiers will join units from Hawaii for up to five months of "very heavy duty combat" training somewhere in the United States. Then they'll head to their overseas assignments.

"These are our families, our neighbors, our friends," Murkowski said. "They go forward with our thoughts and prayers and with the knowledge that Alaskans across the state await their safe return."

From: http://www.news-miner.com/Stories/0,1413,113~7244~2395387,00.html#