More Hawai'i reservists called to active duty

Advertiser Staff

Forty-six more Hawai'i Army Reservists were called to active duty yesterday in support of homeland defense.

All are assigned to units of the 9th Regional Support Command at Fort Shafter.

Thirty-two of the soldiers are being activated from the 368th Military Intelligence Company. The remainder are from other units consolidated under Detachment 1 of the 9th command.

The soldiers are expected to be on active duty for a year in Hawai'i as part of homeland security efforts. Officials said their exact duties cannot be disclosed.

"We are very proud of our soldiers and the contributions they will make to ensure our soldiers, our families, our resources, and our communities are safe," said 9th command's Brig. Gen. Robert G.F. Lee.

The activation brings to 105 the number of Hawai'i Army Reserve soldiers mobilized since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. On Oct. 17, 59 Army Reservists were activated.

About 3,400 soldiers in 23 units throughout the Pacific make up the 9th Regional Support Command, also known as the Pacific Army Reserve.

The Pentagon previously called up 321 Hawai'i Air National guard personnel and 19 Army National Guard soldiers. There are just fewer than 2,500 Air Guard and 3,000 Army National Guard personnel in the state.

As of yesterday, 55,417 soldiers from the Reserve and National Guard had been called to active duty nationally.