 About 130 Alaskans affected; first call-up of infantry since World War II September 11, 2004
About 130 soldiers of A Company, Third Battalion (Scout), 297th Infantry of the 207th Infantry Group (Scout) headquartered in Juneau were activated by the call. Their activation is expected to last up to 18 months. The Department of Defense issued orders for the call up of nearly 60 National Guard and Reserve units from more than a dozen states. This is the first federal call-up of an Alaska National Guard infantry unit since World War II. "The President has asked and I've concurred with the involuntary call-up of a portion of our Alaska Army National Guard troops for duty in the global war on terror. We're extremely proud of their selfless service in our communities, throughout our state, and now to America, in this time of need," Murkowski said. "These are our families, our neighbors, our friends. They go forward with our thoughts and prayers and with the knowledge that Alaskans across our state await their safe return," said the governor. The battalion has elements
located throughout Southeast and Southcentral Alaska. The unit
has 30 days to gather at Fort Richardson for its pre-mobilization
station before departing to their duty assignments. The unit
will be assigned to blend with units from Hawaii that are bound
for Iraq.
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