Oct. 21 (Bloomberg) -- The commander of a U.S. Army reserve unit in Iraq was relieved of her duties, the military said. Soldiers from the unit last week refused to deliver fuel along dangerous routes in the country, the Associated Press reported.

The commander of the 343rd Quartermaster Company ``isn't suspected of misconduct and the move has nothing to do with the guilt or innocence of anyone involved,'' the military said today in an e-mailed statement from the Iraqi capital, Baghdad. Her name and rank weren't given.

Eighteen soldiers from her unit, based in Rock Hill, South Carolina, are being investigated for refusing to drive a fuel convoy from Tallil air base near Nasiriyah to Taji, north of Baghdad, AP said. According to AP, the soldiers told their families they were concerned about the mission because their vehicles were unarmored and in poor condition. Insurgents have carried out frequent attacks on U.S. convoys in Iraq.

The mission was completed by other soldiers from the unit, which is responsible for delivering food, water and fuel by truck in combat zones, military spokeswoman Sharon Walker said today in a telephone interview from Baghdad. Walker said she couldn't confirm the reason the commander was relieved of her duties or how many soldiers were being investigated.

The military said the commander requested her own change of duties. She will be reassigned to a position of similar rank, according to the statement.

The unit is undergoing a two-week ``safety maintenance stand- down,'' during which no further missions will be carried out and its vehicles are being inspected and upgraded, AP said. Walker said she couldn't confirm the report.

To contact the reporter on this story: Claire Shoesmith in London at cshoesmith@bloomberg.net.

Last Updated: October 21, 2004 05:48 EDT