Washington ? More than 110,000 National Guard and reserve forces are now serving around the nation and overseas as the United States continues its buildup for a possible war with Iraq.

In its weekly accounting of those called to active duty, the Pentagon said Wednesday that the number mobilized have jumped by some 17,000 in the past week, the third consecutive large weekly increase and second-largest since the September 2001 terrorist attacks on America.

That brings the total now serving to 111,600, said Lt. Col. Dan Stoneking, a Pentagon spokesman.

Activated troops include 80,000 from Army National Guard and Army Reserve, 5,600 from the Naval Reserve, 11,700 from the Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve, 12,280 Marines, and nearly 2,000 Coast Guard reservists.

Under an order signed by Bush three days after the 2001 terrorist attacks, up to 1 million guard and reserve troops can be called to serve for up to two years. But officials have said it is unlikely that number would be needed.

Since then, about 170,000 have been mobilized, some finishing their duty and going back to civilian life.

Some 113,000 American forces have now been assembled in the Persian Gulf region, defense officials said Wednesday afternoon.

The number is expected to approach 180,000 within a few weeks.