Holden mobilizes military police unit

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Close to 150 Missouri National Guard military police have been activated in support of operations linked to the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

Holden on Monday authorized the mobilization of 148 members of the 1139th Military Police Company based in Harrisonville and Moberly as part of Operation Noble Eagle.

The soldiers are to report to Fort Riley, Kan., on Thursday before being deployed on an unspecified mission in the United States. The group also was activated for seven months during the Persian Gulf War and provided protection at Fort Riley.

So far, 750 members of the 11,000-member Missouri National Guard have been activated since the attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon.

The troops have provided security at airports and nuclear facilities, including the Callaway Nuclear Plant in central Missouri.

"The Missouri National Guard is prepared to support any necessary task that the president or I request," Holden said in a statement.

Brig. Gen. Gen Dennis Shull, the state's adjutant general, said the unit activated Monday is well-trained to participate in anti-terrorist operations.