FARGO - A National Guard unit that was given under a week to prepare for its last deployment has received nearly two years' notice this time.

The North Dakota Guard announced Friday that about 700 of its members from the state are preparing to deploy to Kosovo sometime in 2009. That includes members of the Fargo-based 142nd Engineer Battalion, which received its alert and mobilization orders at the same time when it was called up to Iraq in 2003.

"The notice is a good thing for the families because they can do more long-range planning for a deployment," said JoAnn Czerwinski, the family assistance adviser for the Fargo Guard.

The call-up also is expected to include the Fargo-based 426th Signal Company, the Valley City-based 231st Brigade Support Battalion and the Bismarck-based 68th Troop Command, 112th Aviation Battalion, 285th Aviation Battalion and 957th Engineer Company.

North Dakota National Guard members are expected to lead a 1,400-member task force on the peace enforcement mission, said Brig. Gen. Alan Dohrmann, the deputy adjutant general of the North Dakota Guard.

"We have a proven record," Dohrmann said. "I think we have the organizations within the Army National Guard that fit this mission very well."

Recent reports about rising tensions in Kosovo have nothing to do with Friday's announcement, Dohrmann said.

"Everything is cyclical over there, but for the most part things are stable," Dohrmann said. "The United States and Serbia have been trying to come to a resolution since the 1999 bombing campaign."

The 142nd also served in Kosovo in 1999.

The order is officially known as a notification for training. The new system was put in place this year after Guard leaders complained about the lack of advance notice about deployment.

"This early notification is exactly what we have been asking for," said Maj. Gen. David Sprynczynatyk, the Guard's adjutant general.

Further details will be released closer to the date, but Dohrmann said the deployment would likely occur in last half of 2009. The soldiers would serve up to one year on active duty.

"Soldiers won't be planning a wedding a year out only to find out six months from the date that they will be unable to attend due to a deployment," Czerwinski said. "That has happened before."