More Oklahomans deployed to Iraq

NEWS 9

About 40 men and women with the 507th Air Refueling Wing's Security Forces Squadron took their last steps on Oklahoma soil for a while Thursday as they deployed for Operation Iraqi Freedom.

"Today's my first deployment," said Anthony Robinson. "I'm shipping off to Kirkuk, Iraq, be there for about six months doing perimeter security."

The group appeared mostly relaxed and unafraid today, playing video games as they waited.

"The PSP is one of the greatest inventions for the deployment age," Robinson said.

Some said they were a bit nervous and sad to be leaving family behind.

"Today was kinda a hard day," Jessie Brown said. "I had to say goodbye to my two kids and my wife but, I'm with a great group of guys and a great group of women, so I think we'll do all right."

The group has been training for possible deployment since 2006. They were activated in November, and now their commander said they are ready.

"This has been a focus of training for over two years with them, so couldn't get, 12 years of doing it as a commander, have put out a finer group of people," Maj. Robert Baird.

The men and women of the 507th left Thursday for what we're told will be at least a 179 day deployment.