3,000 Washington National Guard members could be called up

 The Defense Department has notified the Washington National Guard that 3,000 members could be called up for overseas missions.

The "notice of sourcing" announced Monday is not a mobilization order or alert. However, it could affect the 81st Brigade Combat Team and the 506 Military Police Company.

"We will continue to ensure our families are cared for, our civilian employers are informed and our soldiers are proficient in their warrior tasks,"  Maj. Gen. Timothy Lowenberg, the adjutant general of the Washington National Guard told the News Tribune.

The 81st Brigade Combat Team has participated in two large deployments to Iraq, one in 2004-05, and another 2008-09.