Clay County Attorney Brian Melton is among the 2,600 Minnesota National Guard soldiers whose tours of duty now extend until July.
The County Attorney's department received confirmation on Friday Melton won't return in March as anticipated, Assistant County Attorney Michelle Winkis said.
There was speculation Melton wouldn't be among those staying in Iraq after a Thursday announcement that the guard's First Brigade combat team of the 34th Infantry will have a 125-day tour extension.
A U.S. Department of Defense regulation states soldiers should not be involuntary deployed for more than 730 days, said Winkis, who served as chairwoman of Melton's campaign and has assumed administrative duties in the county attorney's department during his absence.
Melton used that point to assure voters he'd be back in Moorhead to assume the roles of county attorney this spring.
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He'll surpass the 730 day mark in March, after spending time in Iraq and on a peacekeeping mission in Bosnia.
A spokeswoman for the U.S. Department of Defense wasn't able to immediately provide details as to why the regulation was overruled.
Winkis learned of Melton's extension from his wife Kim, who received a phone message Friday morning.
The guards' extension, which includes about 500 soldiers from Moorhead's 2-136 Combined Arms Battalion, is part of President Bush's decision to send 21,500 additional U.S. troops to Iraq.
Winkis said the county attorney's office will function in the same manner until Melton's later return date.
