Arkansas Guard Troop In Deployment Limbo

An Arkansas National Guard spokeswoman said today that defense officials are considering extending the commitments of hundreds of soldiers serving in Iraq as they near the end of their active-duty commitments. Though Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld said this week he has no plan for an extension, other officials said it was under consideration for about 450 guards from Arkansas serving with the 39th Brigade Combat Team. Brandy Mikesell, a civilian spokeswoman for the Arkansas Guard, said they`re still waiting for a decision. The soldiers have served in Iraq since April. They were first mobilized after September 11th and sent to the Sinai Peninsula on a peacekeeping rotation. The cumulative total for the Arkansas soldiers will reach 24 in September, although they will not have been on active duty for 24 consecutive months. Pentagon policy and the law differ on a 24-month time limit for keeping National Guard and reserve troops on active duty.