Judge won't block Army duty extensions

WASHINGTON, Feb. 7 (UPI) -- A judge in Washington Monday refused to block the "stop-loss" extension of military service due to the Iraq war.

The suit was brought by eight members of the Army whose service was extended beyond their terms of service.

The group of soldiers is led by David Qualls, who was in the Army from 1986-1994. After his service, he enlisted in the Army National Guard in July 2003 for one year.

In mid-October 2003, however, the Army called Qualls to active duty and extended his expiration of service date from July 6, 2004, to Dec. 24, 2031, as authorized under the federal "stop-loss" statute.

Before their suit goes to trial, the eight asked for a judge's order keeping them in the United States during their service. When that was refused, Qualls asked for an injunction releasing him from service.

U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth denied the request, saying the suit was not likely to succeed and citing the harm to the Army.