Alabama Ranks 11th For Number of National Guard, Reservists Overseas

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) - Alabama trails only much larger states in numbers compiled by the Pentagon.

By: Associated Press and NBC13.COM Staff | Alabama's13.com
Published: July 04, 2008

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BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) - Alabama ranks 11th among states in the number of National Guard members and Reservists who have been deployed for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Alabama trails only much larger states in numbers compiled by the Pentagon.

Alabamians make up the fifth-highest number of Army Guard soldiers deployed in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, and 12th-most among Air Guard and Army Reserve members.

Lt. Col. Les Melnyk, Pentagon spokesman, said the numbers are evidence of Alabama's strong tradition of military service.

The Defense Department numbers were compiled by state of residence from September 2001 through the end of May.

They show more than 13,000 Guard members and Reservists from Alabama have been on Iraq- and Afghanistan-related deployments.