Oklahoma and Arkansas National Guard Units Places On Alert
By: Staff
Updated: April 9, 2007
Oklahoma's 45th Infantry Brigade and Little Rock's 39th Infantry Brigade have been placed on alert for deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. They received notice from the Department of Defense to be ready to deploy as replacements for units now serving in Iraq. The units are not scheduled to begin deployment until December 2007. They are receiving alert orders now to provide members the maximum time to complete their preparations. The advance notice also provides a greater measure of predictability for family members and flexibility for employers to plan for military service of their employees. The final determination of whether these units will deploy will be made based on conditions on the ground in Iraq.
According to the Department of Defense, this alert is not associated with the current troop surge. The units would deploy as replacement forces for formations currently operating in Iraq. Two other units have also been placed on alert, and there are approximately 13,000 personnel in these four brigades.
