Local guard units could be mobilized

Friday, November 7, 2003

SIKESTON -- Missouri National Guard Units, including the 1140th Engineer Battalion with armories in Sikeston, Portageville, Charleston and Caruthersville, were alerted of a possible mobilization Thursday as the Department of Defense announced the next rotation of U.S. military forces to support Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.

"We want to make it clear that it's an alert for a possible mobilization -- it's not a mobilization," emphasized Staff Sgt. Joyce Kilmer of the Missouri National Guard Public Affairs office in Jefferson City on Thursday.

Other armories of the 1140th Engineer Battalion alerted of a possible mobilization include Cape Girardeau, Farmington, Fredericktown, Perryville and Jackson.

In addition to the 1140th Engineer Battalion, units in Missouri include HHHD 3/135th AV in Jefferson City, the HHD 835th Support Battalion in Jefferson City, the 711th Transportation Detachment in Jefferson City, C Company, 1/106th Assault Battalion and Detachment 1 Company D, 1/106 Assault Battalion in Jefferson City.

According to the Missouri National Guard, the announcement is intended to foster the orderly and systematic rotation of troops into and out of the Central Command area of operations. The rotation is designed to allow for the maximum overlap between forces currently deployed and replacement units. This plan provides the capabilities required for the missions defined by the combatant commander.

Included in the next rotation of forces will be approximately 85,000 active duty and approximately 43,000 Ready Reserve Units and individuals from across all the services.

Notifications to these units are currently in progress.

Kilmer admitted she didn't know the number of Missouri units and individuals notified Thursday.

The plan of the alert is to give service members the maximum notice so they, their families and employers can prepare. It's an advance notice to get all of their stuff to go and to be ready if they're called up, Kilmer explained.

"For instance, single moms may try to make sure they have someone lined up to take care of their children or a power of attorney," Kilmer said. "All the traditional guardsmen may alert their employers that this could happen so they can get ready, too."

Kilmer said the Guard doesn't know when soldiers could expect mobilization. If mobilization does occur, its process remains unclear for the time being, she said.

"In past mobilizations," Kilmer recalled, "soldiers have done some training prior to leaving, but I just don't know what will happen."

At press time, members of the 1140th Engineer Battalion in Sikeston were unable to comment on the situation.

However, 160th District State Rep. Peter Myers was available for comment early today.

"I feel it affects many people that I know, but I'm sure they're ready and willing to serve," Myers said. "I think it's part of being in the National Guard, and that's a commitment they are proud of."

The Ready Reserve includes members of both the Reserves and National Guard. As previously announced, deploying Reserve Component Army soldiers can expect to be mobilized for up to 18 months and be in theater for up to 12 months.

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