PORTLAND, Maine (AP) – The head of the Maine National Guard says it’s unlikely President Barack Obama’s plan to send more service members to Afghanistan will change plans for the state’s citizen soldiers.

Maine Adjutant Gen. John “Bill” Libby says the orders for the state’s National Guard hasn’t changed since the president’s Tuesday speech outlining the plans for Afghanistan.

Hundreds of Maine soldiers are already scheduled to head to Afghanistan and possibly Iraq.

On Monday a Brewer-based company that is part of the 172nd Mountain Infantry regiment is leaving for Iraq.

Libby tells the Portland Press Herald those soldiers will be thrown into the heart of the battle against the Taliban.

Another Maine National Guard unit was already scheduled to go to Afghanistan next year and others could be headed to Iraq.

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Information from: Portland Press Herald, https://www.pressherald.com