A Pennsylvania National Guard unit based in Hermitage is one of several that has been notified it could be activated to serve in Iraq, said Maj. Grey Berrier, executive officer of the 107 Field Artillery of the 1st Battalion.

Maj. Gen. Wesley E. Craig Jr., commanding general of the 28th Infantry Division, has issued a verbal warning, a preparatory step for mobilization.

The verbal warning gives units and soldiers time to prepare.

Firing Battery A, Hermitage, could be one of three batteries mobilized -- the others are in Pittsburgh and Oil City -- and a total of 860 soldiers from units across Pennsylvania face the possible call up.

Each of the 107th's Field Artillery batteries has 124 soldiers.

Berrier said a written order, which would give more detail and formally announce the call-up, could come within three or four weeks.

Military brass also could decide not to activate the unit, but it is working under the assumption that it will be, he said.

While the Hermitage unit is made up of field artillery specialists, they likely would perform other duties in Iraq, Berrier said.