Local guard troops to be mobilized

Maj. Gen. Gus L. Hargett Jr., Tennessee's adjutant general, announced Monday that Tennessee's largest National Guard unit, the 278th Armored Cavalry Regiment, headquartered in Knoxville, has received mobilization orders effective later this year -- but the exact date and location have not been announced.

The National Guard troops based in Shelbyville are part of the 278th.

The unit has been on alert for a possible deployment since last year when the military said the Knoxville-based unit was one of four National Guard units that could deploy to Iraq.

Last month, the military completed a withdrawal of combat forces from Iraqi cities to outlying bases while more troops have been sent to Afghanistan.

The regiment is composed of more than 3,000 soldiers from across the state.

Guard officials have said the unit won't deploy until the 2010 federal fiscal year, which starts in October.

"The world situation is constantly changing after seven years of deployments, and the current situation will determine how and where the regiment is utilized as part of the Global War on Terror." said Brig. Gen. Max Haston, assistant adjutant general, Army, in a news release.

Col. Jeffrey Holmes, who commands the 278th, said, "The regiment has anticipated the order and conducted individual and collective training for the deployment over the past six months. Our soldiers and families are prepared, and we're ready to get it started. We began this process three years ago and it will be gratifying to have the opportunity to finish the job."

The 278th last deployed in June 2004 during which the unit trained Iraqi security forces and assisted with provincial elections and the National Constitutional Referendum. The regiment will mobilize through Camp Shelby, Miss., for an unspecified period of time before deploying to their final locations.