Oregon Soldiers Will Deploy to Iraq in 2009

The National Guard says the early announcement provides a greater measure of predictability for family members and flexibility for employers to plan for military service of their employees.

A lieutenant from Oregon's 41st Brigade Combat Team gives soldiers a pre-mission briefing in Afghanistan, November '06 Photo by: Tim King

(SALEM, Ore.) - The Oregon National Guard's 41st Brigade Combat Team has officially been alerted for service in Iraq that is set for 2009. Oregon's 41st is among five National Guard brigades scheduled for deployment to Iraq and Afghanistan in the summer of 2009.

The Oregon Guard soldiers receiving this notice about the upcoming deployment to Iraq recently completed a tour of duty in Afghanistan.

The Department of Defense says the Oregon troops that are scheduled to deploy to Iraq are replacement forces. The announcement involving three brigades from the Army National Guard consists of approximately 8,000 personnel.

Guard officials say these brigades will have a security force mission and be assigned tasks which will assure freedom of movement and continuity of operations in the country. Those tasks will include base defense and route security in Iraq and Kuwait.

Soldier from the Wisconsin Guard on a mission near Gardez, Afghanistan. January 2007 Photo by: Tim King

These units are currently scheduled to begin deployment in the summer of 2009. They are receiving alert orders now in order to provide them the maximum time to complete their preparations.

The National Guard says it also provides a greater measure of predictability for family members and flexibility for employers to plan for military service of their employees.

Units alerted in addition to the Oregon's 41st Brigade Combat Team are Wisconsin National Guard's 32nd Brigade Combat Team, and the 155th Brigade Combat Team of the Mississippi National Guard.

Many of the Wisconsin soldiers served with Oregon's soldiers during the recent deployment to Afghanistan.

The government says unit deployments, "reflect the continued commitment of the United States to the security of the Iraqi people. The Department recognizes the continued sacrifices of these units and their family members."