LEAVING FOR DUTY
Sgt. Eric Buehre hugs his wife, Melani, after a departure ceremony for more than 160 members of the Oklahoma Army National Guard as they prepare for deployment.
MUSTANG — Family and friends gathered Sunday at Mustang High School Event Center to send off more than 160 Oklahoma Army National Guardsmen from the 1345th Transportation Company, 90th Troop Command, for a yearlong deployment to Southwest Asia.
The 1345th, also known as “Rolling Thunder,” will conduct tactical convoy operations by providing security escorts and ammunition resupply in support of Operation Spartan Shield.
“I could not ask for a better group of soldiers to deploy with and represent our unit in the Oklahoma Army National Guard,” said Capt. Dustin Ruth, commander of the 1345th.
The unit recently completed its pre-mobilization training at Camp Gruber Training Center and will now move onto the next phase of training at Fort Hood, Texas, before going overseas.
Maj. Gen. Robbie Asher, adjutant general for Oklahoma, addressed family, friends and employers of the deploying soldiers.
“While your loved ones are deployed, you have a family; you have a family of 9,000 strong,” Asher said. “All of us back here are here to support you with anything you may need during your loved one’s deployment.”