AUGUSTA - About 500 soldiers in a Maine Army National Guard battalion have been told that they have been identified for possible deployment to Iraq.

Maj. Gen. John Libby, adjutant general of the Maine National Guard, announced Monday that the National Guard Bureau requested the 133rd Engineer Battalion for possible deployment in early 2010.

The dates, location and mission are pending until the unit receives a mobilization order from the Army.

The battalion was stationed in northern Iraq from early 2004 into early 2005.