State Rep. Doug Collins being called to Iraq

GAINESVILLE - State Rep. Doug Collins (R-Gainesville), who is also a member of the Air Force Reserve, has been called up to active duty and will be deployed to Iraq by fall.

Collins is a chaplain in the 94th Air Wing at Dobbins Air Force Base in Marietta.

"I cannot think of a better place to be a chaplain," Collins said, "than with people who are going to be away from home but also need someone to talk to them."

He qualified Monday to seek a second term in the House of Representatives.

Before heading off to Iraq, Collins will graduate from law school in May. He will be stationed in Iraq through the campaign season until the 2009 Legislative session in January.

Collins is expected to deploy to the war zone in September.