Half of NM Guard could be in Iraq in 2010

"The Associated Press Article Launched: 08/11/2007 01:00:00 AM MDT
Staff and wire report
SANTA FE
Half of New Mexico's National Guard is slated to be sent to Iraq in 2010 well above the deployments agreed on by the Guard Adjutant Gen. Kenny Montoya and Gov. Bill Richardson. The Department of the Army plans for New Mexico's Guard deployments to total 1,600 members in 2010, or half the force, Montoya said. Montoya and Richardson have said only 25 percent of the Guard should be deployed overseas because troops might be needed to deal with natural disasters in the state. 'It's not the best situation,' Montoya said. 'If the Army tells us to do it, we will follow orders and do it. ... But we are taking a risk back here at home.' Richardson said he's concerned the deployment level will affect the ability to respond to emergencies at home. Nearly 2,000 members of the New Mexico National Guard have deployed since 2001, but officials said 75 percent of the Guard has always remained in the state despite that. By this fall, about 600 members of the state Guard will be deployed or be preparing to deploy to Iraq, said Maj. Ken Nava, Guard spokesman."

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