Maine Guard unit not going to Iraq after all

[unhappycamper]

Maine Guard unit not going to Iraq after all
The Associated Press
Posted : Thursday Dec 17, 2009 17:38:54 EST

AUGUSTA, Maine — A Maine Army National Guard unit that has been preparing to deploy to Iraq has been told to stand down. More than 500 soldiers from the 133rd Engineer Battalion won’t be deployed after all.

Maj. Gen. John W. Libby, adjutant general of the Maine National Guard, made the formal announcement Thursday.

The unit was considered for deployment in Afghanistan, but the Pentagon decided there were already sufficient combat troops for the mission. Instead, the 133rd will be staying home instead of deploying in March.

Capt. Shanon, spokesman for the Maine National Guard, said the decision reduces the number of Maine-based Guard personnel going to Iraq and Afghanistan in the near year from 800 to about 310.


Article at: http://www.armytimes.com/news/2009/12/ap_iraq_maine_guard_121709w/