It's official: Iowa National Guard brigade called up

An estimated 3,500 soldiers from the Iowa National Guard are being alerted of a possible mobilization next fall in what is projected to be the single largest single-unit call-up since World War II.

The U.S. Department of Defense announced Tuesday the Iowa National Guard's 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 34th Infantry Division is expected to deploy units for up to 12 months, with most of the time spent in Afghanistan.

The division will begin deploying in the fall of 2010 to support ongoing operations and training of Afghan national security forces.

Members are getting their alert orders now, officials said, to allow them the maximum time for preparations, and to give family members and employers time to plan.

“The intent of all this early deployment notification is so that we can take care of our families and our employers, and get some predictability,” said Tim Orr, adjutant general of the Iowa National Guard.

Four additional guard units with 500 soldiers and an estimated 57 subordinate units from more than 30 Iowa communities have been alerted of the potential deployment.

Orr said although the entire brigade combat team has been alerted they believe some brigade elements may not mobilize. He said this Guard deployment will be similar to the level reached in 2003.

The state's readiness to respond to natural disasters would not be compromised by the deployment, Orr said.

“When we need more soldiers, we will go out, and we will reach out to our neighboring states,” he said.

He noted the Iowa Guard assisted during Hurricane Katrina and has lent its support to other states when they needed it.

“What's great about the National Guard is we're community-based, and we support each other,” Orr said.

The Iowa Committee of Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, which acts as a liaison between military leaders and employers, is encouraging Guard members to use their services.

The organization offers mediation and counseling and helps provide members with information of their employment rights.

State Chairman Dick Rue encourages soldiers who worry they might be fired because of their deployment to contact their office.

“We will deploy one of our ombudsmen to speak with them and address it with the employer,” Rue said. He noted that firing an employee who is a military member in anticipation of deployment is a violation of law.

Sara Christoffel said military families need to prepare at home before they are separated. Her husband is in the brigade, and this possibly will be their second deployment apart.

“It's a constant cycle for us to keep ourselves ready, because we don't know when and if he may be gone at any time,” she said.

National Guard Units