The Secretary of Defense today approved the Army’s request to mobilize two U.S. Army National Guard brigades that on July 26 were alerted to participate in Operation Iraqi Freedom.  The 30^th Infantry Brigade from North Carolina will mobilize effective Oct.1, 2003, and the 39^th Infantry Brigade from Arkansas will mobilize effective Oct. 12, 2003. 

 

As previously announced on Sept. 9, these units can expect to be in the Iraqi theater for up to 12 months.  The total length of mobilization is up to 18 months to allow time for equipping, training, mobilizing, leave, and demobilizing activities.

 

These mobilizations are part of the force rotation plan announced on July 23, 2003.  The Army has made this announcement to provide predictability in the lives of soldiers and their families as they serve the nation fighting the global war on terrorism.

 

The Army also announced that the 81^st Army National Guard Infantry Brigade from Washington State has been alerted in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

 

For more information on this announcement, contact Mr. Mark Allen, National Guard Bureau Media Relations, (703) 607-5934, or Army Public Affairs, (703) 697-7590.