By Alabama Public Radio
Montgomery, AL – The Alabama National Guard is preparing more troops for duty in the Middle East. Alabama Guard spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Bob Horton says units are being trained for possible duty in Iraq. There have been no new deployment orders, but federal defense officials have indicated that could change soon. Pentagon officials say the United States will activate more troops if other nations do not send more soldiers within the next few weeks. About 22-hundred Alabama Guard members are already providing combat support in Iraq.