WASHINGTON (Army News Service, April 9, 2007) - Army officials confirmed today that four National Guard brigade combat teams - totaling more than 12,000 Soldiers - have been alerted for deployment to Iraq.

The first BCT will deploy in December, and the remaining three in 2008. The troop movement is part of routine unit replacements, and is not associated with the current plus-up of forces in Iraq.

The units involved are the 39th Infantry Brigade Combat Team from Arkansas, Oklahoma's 45th Inf. BCT, Ohio's 37th Inf. BCT and Indiana's 76th Inf. BCT. All four units have been deployed overseas within the past four years - the 37th to Kosovo from 2004 to 2005; the 39th to Iraq during the same period; the 45th to Afghanistan in 2003; and the 76th to the same country from 2004 to 2005.

Per Department of Defense policy, each unit will be mobilized for up to 12 months. Case-by-case selection of Army National Guard units honors worldwide commitments

and provides combatant commanders the forces required to maintain operational support in Iraq, officials said.

The National Guard has responded to every call for forces, already having mobilized more than 250,000 Soldiers. Each time the National Guard has been called upon to deploy more forces, they have responded with proven and capable warriors. These outstanding Citizen-Soldiers, their family members and employers continue to make great sacrifices for the good of our country and they appreciate and acknowledge the continued support of the American People.