"The figure is as high as you can go without bringing in a major military mobilization," Mr. Fitzpatrick said.

It became the first major mobilization into the Gaza Strip since Israel's unilateral disengagement plan was implemented between August and September 2005.

The summer of 2007 saw a major mobilization of departmental resources for the National Governors' Conference in Traverse City.

The Pentagon, continuing a policy of secrecy about its operations, said little about where its forces were heading, but the signs of a major mobilization were everywhere.

"What we have found is that after every major modern military mobilization, servicemen have returned and experienced a variety of unexplained illnesses," Dr. Roswell said.

A major mobilization of Russian forces in Siberia occurred, with many thousands of troops converging on the insurgents.

"In light of recent events, I felt it important to reassess the EDF in preparation for a possible major mobilization."

A major mobilization to fight a full-scale war along the border would have a devastating effect on an economy already hurt by embargoes.

The last major mobilization of the NDRF came during the Vietnam War.

During his term, flash floods in the Black Hills caused a major mobilization of the Patrol to respond to the emergency.