Thousands Of Oklahomans To DeployTo Afghanistan Soon

News9.com

OKLAHOMA CITY -- More than 3,000 Oklahomans will head to Afghanistan later this week.

Members of the 45th Infantry have been preparing for this mission in Hattisburg, Mississippi at Camp Shelby.

Soldiers say it's important to train for every possibility.

"You want to replicate the situation as closely as you can. Machine gun fire. That's what is going to prepare our soldiers the best," said Captain Chris Ribera.

"It's very tough. But at the same time fulfilling to know that we're going to get to go to Afghanistan and complete a mission that is well worth our time and a great thing to do for the people of Afghanistan," said Jared Bain of Ponca City.

This upcoming deployment of the 45th Infantry Brigade will be the largest since the Korean War.