The orders place the units on federal active duty to begin training for deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
The 248th Support Center has 27 soldiers and is based in Port Orchard. Dec. 5 is its mobilization date. The 116th Support Center also has 27 members and is located in Ellensburg. Its mobilization is slated for Dec. 7.
The orders mean more than 3,900 Washington Army and Air Guard men and women are on alert, in the process of mobilizing or already serving on active duty around the world.
The total planned active-duty period for the 248th and 116th is 18 months.
The Olympian Online
