PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) -- More than 500 Oregon Army National Guard soldiers are mobilizing this week for Iraq amid continued concerns over soldier suicides.

Suicide has become an issue of troop readiness and force strength.

Three Oregon Guard soldiers have died in combat since 2007 and 14 have died by suicide.

"We are often more dangerous to ourselves than the enemy,"

Gen. Peter Chiarelli, Army vice chief of staff, said about suicide nationally in a July report.

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