WATERLOO --- Northeast Iowa soldiers attached to "Ironman Battalion" are facing another lengthy deployment.

The Waterloo-headquarterd Iowa Army National guard 1st Battalion, 133rd Infantry regiment spent nearly two years on active duty --- mostly in Iraq --- starting in 2005. It appears the Iowa National Guard unit will spend another year away from family and friends, this time in Afghanistan.

The U.S. Department of Defense announced Tuesday the guard's 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 34th "Red Bull" Infantry Division, of which the 1/133rd is a part of, is on alert. The division will begin deploying in the fall of 2010 to support ongoing operations and training of Afghan national security forces. The potential mobilization of 3,500 soldiers is projected to be the largest call-up of Iowa troops since World War II.

Battalion Commander Lt. Col. Steve Kremer said the notification wasn't a shock. It's been 27 months since the 1/133rd's last deployment and the war on terrorism is ongoing. Plus, he said there have been several clues indicating another mobilization would occur, like attending readiness training --- medical and administration updates --- at Camp Dodge in Des Moines last weekend.

Kremer believes morale is high among the troops.

"I think everyone is taking it well," Kremer said. "This battalion has been through quite a bit. It's been amazing to see the positive attitudes of the soldiers."

During the past eight years, all or portions of the 1/133rd have been deployed on four different combat or peace keeping missions: Kuwait, Egypt, Kosovo and Iraq.

Nicknamed the "Ironman Battalion" for serving a record 611 consecutive days in combat during World War II, the 1/133rd lived up to its reputation during its last deployment to the Middle East. The unit was activated in September and October 2005 and was supposed to come home in the spring of 2007. However, the unit's stay was extended as part of President George W. Bush's troop surge. Fifteen months of escorting convoys was the longest tour at that time.

This deployment will likely be much shorter. Kremer said the time at the mobilization and training base prior to heading overseas will count toward the deployment, unlike last time.

Approximately 685 people make up the 1/133rd. The battalion has armories in Waterloo, Dubuque, Oelwein, Iowa Falls and Charles City.

Kremer said there's a "very good potential" the battalion will be activated, but it's not a guarantee. The early notice gives soldiers and families time to prepare.

If deployed, Kremer said some personnel will stay home due to medical or family issues, or to man the armories. Each will stay open during the deployment.

Capt. Garrett Gingrich of Waterloo isn't looking forward to leaving again. Being away from family, friends and his job for three out of the last six years will be tough, but duty calls.

"No one wants to leave," Gingrich said. "That's what you sign up for. Whether we like it or not, we need to be ready to execute our jobs. I'm ready to do it."

Gingrich is commander of Charlie Company in Iowa Falls and Oelwein. When not in fatigues, he's a Waterloo firefighter and paramedic.

He hopes the experience of the last deployment will help his wife, Angela, and parents cope with the separation. He also believes he can help fellow soldiers who haven't experienced it.

"More than anything you appreciate being home," Gingrich said. "If we stay disciplined, everyone can come home and pick up their lives where they left off."

Unfortunately that doesn't always happen, no matter the amount of training. Two 1/133rd soldiers never made it back from Iraq. Sgt. 1st Class Scott Nisely of Marshalltown and Sgt. Kampha Sourivong of Iowa City were killed in combat. Thirty-five others were injured.

In Iraq, the 1/133rd provided security for more than 500 combat logistical patrols, escorting 62,000 supply trucks more than 4.1 million miles.

Kremer said Afghanistan will be different. The unit will likely do counter insurgency missions, reconstruction work and train police and border patrols.

Being citizen soldiers representing a variety of careers like construction, police and fire is an asset.

"We bring a multitude of professions to the table to help the people of Afghanistan," Kremer said.