The Department of Defense notified the members of the 1133rd Transportation Company of the Iowa National Guard, located in Mason City, that they have been put on alert for a possible deployment in late 2008.  The 1133rd Transportation Company consists of 170 soldiers, including those from a detachment in Fort Dodge, Iowa. The soldiers were notified of the alert on Saturday, Nov. 3.

“When a company receives an alert it is a validation that the group is a unit that is well trained and is combat ready.”  Lt. Col. Gregory Hapgood of the Iowa National Guard

The 1133rd was the second unit in the State to receive notification. The 294th Area Support Medical Company from Iowa City, Iowa, was also put on alert.  Hapgood stated that the alert does not specify an assignment or theater of operation. The group will mobilize in the United States and train for a period of time before they head to active duty.  “The 1133rd Company was one of the first units to mobilize in the first rotation,” said Hapgood. “It has been three years since they returned from their last duty, so they had a feeling that their turn would come around again.”  The unit was deployed in January 2003 for Operation Iraqi Freedom. After training in Fort McCoy, Wis., the group was shipped to Kuwait where it was stationed for several months. The unit later moved to Logistical Base Seitz. Following a 13 month stint, the unit returned home in April 2004.  The 1133rd is a transportation company. Their primary mission is to transport soldiers, equipment and supplies for the military.  “There are three primary feelings soldiers have when they are notified of an alert. They feel pride that they are being called. They are worried about the families they leave behind and they have a feeling of resolve, because they are trained and ready to serve,” said Hapgood.