14,000 reservists may be needed for second year

WASHINGTON -- For some troops in Maj. Ron Turk's Air National Guard security unit, the war on terrorism has meant a year away from the local police beat, or college, or the family business. It has also meant a year away from husbands, wives and children.

Now, many of them face a second year away from home and civilian life.

Turk's unit, the 108th Security Forces Squadron of the New Jersey Air National Guard, has been notified it may be needed for a second year on active duty.

The military has told some 14,000 Air Force National Guard and reservists -- including the more than 110 people of the 108th -- that they might be needed for a second year in the war on terror.

"Most of our troops can handle it," Turk said. "They're very patriotic, and they'll do whatever we need to do. There are some hardships. It's certainly difficult on their families. It's difficult on their employers."

The largest group facing an extended term are 5,700 Air National Guard security troops, like Turk's, who protect bases, said Kathleen Gereski, spokeswoman for the National Guard Bureau. Some are serving at domestic bases, others overseas.

In the last year, troops from the 108th have been to Europe, to Saudi Arabia and neighboring Qatar, and to Kandahar, Afghanistan. Based at McGuire Air Force Base, N.J., they are trained to function as beat cops, walking airfield fence lines, guarding aircraft and searching cars.

Many are in law enforcement in civilian life -- Turk, for one, is a Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms agent in Kentucky. His unit also has college students who have missed a year of school and face missing another.

Not all may serve a year

The extensions, first reported Monday by USA Today, do not necessarily mean all 14,000 will spend another year in uniform, officials said. They can be demobilized once the military decides their services are no longer needed on active duty.

The extensions were announced even as the military sends home thousands of weekend warriors called up after the Sept. 11 attacks.

About 76,000 members of the Guard and reserves -- including troops from the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard -- are on wartime active duty. The majority are in the Army and Air Force.