The Army National Guard received an alert order Thursday to prepare for the possible mobilization of at least 3,300 soldiers.
That order also covered about 1,000 soldiers from California and Michigan affiliated with the Washington units.
The soldiers are from the 81st Armor Brigade, a tank unit based in Seattle, said National Guard Capt. Nancy Treder.
"This was to inform them they are being considered for mobilization," Treder said Friday. "At this time no decision has been made if they will be mobilized."
Also, two more Navy ships and a Prowler aircraft squadron from Whidbey Island are heading to sea as the United States prepares for possible war with Iraq.
And seven air tankers and about 100 airmen from Fairchild Air Force Base in Spokane left Thursday for Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia. Base officials said more planes from the 92nd Air Refueling Wing would be leaving in coming days.
Two Navy ships, based in Bremerton and Everett, are leaving port early next week to join the San Diego-based aircraft carrier USS Nimitz.
"The ships will join the Nimitz battle group and transit to the Central Command area of responsibility in support of the global war on terrorism and to prepare for future contingencies," the Navy said in a news release.
Monday, the Everett-based guided missile frigate USS Rodney M. Davis, with a crew of 215, will head to sea, the Navy said.
Wednesday, the Bremerton-based combat support ship USS Bridge, with a crew of 667 sailors, will depart from Indian Island near Port Townsend. The Bridge carries fuel, ammunition and food to resupply other ships.
The Nimitz battle group, with 8,000 sailors, will replace the USS Abraham Lincoln, which is based in Everett.
In addition, a Whidbey Island-based squadron of four radar-jamming Prowlers -- VAQ 135, or the Ravens -- and 180 personnel also will be deployed on the Nimitz.
The planes are used to silence enemy radar and communications systems.
Also, the Army Reserve's 70th Regional Support Command at Fort Lawton in Seattle announced that 90 people were mobilized Tuesday to help process the growing number of reserve soldiers being called to active duty in the region.
Pentagon figures show that the number of reserve and National Guard personnel called to active duty from Washington total about 2,700 as of Wednesday.
Washington has about 5,800 people in the Army National Guard and 2,200 in the Air Guard. Units are activated based on the skills needed by the military.
Of the roughly 14,000 Washington residents believed to be called to duty, about 8,100 are in the Navy, around 2,000 are from Fort Lewis, 2,700 are reserves or National Guard forces, 1,100 are from McChord Air Force Base and an unknown number are from Fairchild Air Force Base.
The Olympian Online
On the Web
Emergency:
• Washington Military Department, Emergency Management Division
• Emergency resources listing, from state Department of Information Services
• Are You Ready? A Guide to Citizen Preparedness (FEMA)