Troops Based in O.C. Among Army, Marine Reserve Call-Ups

The Army and Marine Corps on Monday ordered another 26,625 reserve troops to active duty, including some from El Toro and Camp Pendleton, bringing to more than 78,000 the number of part-time U.S. soldiers, airmen and sailors activated by the Pentagon in the Persian Gulf crisis.

The Army called 20,129 personnel to duty and the Marines summoned an additional 6,496 troops.

Among the Marine call-ups were troops from Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 764 at El Toro, a squadron that generally operates CH-46 Sea Knight helicopters to transport infantry troops. They are to report for duty Nov. 27.

Camp Pendleton’s 4th Light Armored Vehicle Battalion is to be activated Saturday, and Marine Attack Helicopter Squadron 775 is to report Dec. 1.

The Army Reserve’s Los Alamitos 114th Medical Team also was called up.

The Army has now called to active duty 59,000 reserve and National Guard troops. The Marines have called some 8,500, the Navy more than 4,500, the Air Force more than 5,000 and the Coast Guard more than 1,000.

The Army units ordered to duty on Monday include three National Guard armored combat brigades totaling about 12,000 troops--the 48th Infantry Mechanized Brigade of Georgia, the 155th Armored Brigade of Mississippi and the 256th Infantry Mechanized Brigade of Louisiana.

The Marine reserves, from units in 23 states and the District of Columbia, will report for duty starting Saturday with the 2nd Marine Expeditionary Force at Camp Lejeune, N.C. That unit is expected to be sent to the gulf.

All of the reservists called to duty on Monday will see active duty for a minimum of 180 days, with the possibility of an additional 180 days if President Bush and Defense Secretary Dick Cheney decide to extend the initial period.