An Ottumwa-based Iowa National Guard unit has been told to get ready for deployment. Members of the 833rd Engineers Company, formerly know as Company C of the 224th engineers battalion, were notified by the Department of Defense and National Guard that the unit has been put on alert for deployment to Iraq.
The unit was deployed to Iraq from October of 2004 to December of 2005. The 120 member unit’s duty is responsible for identifying and getting rid of mine fields and explosives. Confirmation of their deployment is expected in the next four to six weeks.