The Illinois Army National Guard 1844th Transportation Company has been notified it is being mobilized to federal active duty in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

The 171 soldiers in the company headquartered at 702 Koch’s Lane in Quincy have been told they are being mobilized for up to 12 months of active duty in the United States Central Command theater of operations in Iraq.

Lt. Scott Grimes, commander of the 1844th Transportation Company, told The Herald-Whig today that details of the unit’s deployment are still being worked out and it will be several weeks before all orders are finalized.

Duties of the 1844th Transportation Company have changed in the last two years.

“We used to be a maintenance company, but about 1 1/2 years ago we were transformed into a transportation company,” Grimes said. “We are now a light medium truck company that will be hauling supplies (in Iraq).”    …..more