Family Members Prepare For Iraq Assignment

Members of the Oklahoma Army National Guard are currently undergoing pre-mobilization training at Camp Gruber.

Tuesday, June 3rd 2008, 2:55 pm

By: News On 6


Start the slideshow
Members of the Oklahoma Army National Guard are currently undergoing pre-mobilization training at Camp Gruber.

The training is part of their preparation for an upcoming deployment to Iraq.

Guard officials say the training in Muskogee County includes four family members including a father and son and four brothers.

A 40-year old private is also a part of the training going on a Camp Gruber.

Slideshow information:

PERSONAL REFLECTION
1LT James Smith, C Battery, 158th Field Artillery, 45th Fires Brigade, reads from his uniform covered bible while sitting on an old tank at the Camp Gruber Military Training Site. Smith rejoined the Army National Guard in 2007 after a 19-year break in service. (Photo by U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Robin Brown, Oklahoma Air National Guard, 138th Fighter Wing Public Affairs)

TAKING A BREAK
Spc. Lynette Mitten, from left, Pfc. Michael Andrews, Sgt. 1st Class David Andrews and Sgt. 1st Class Paul Burden walk together during a break from their training at Camp Gruber. The family members will be deploying together to Iraq later this year. (Photo by U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Robin Brown, Oklahoma Air National Guard, 138th Fighter Wing Public Affairs)

FAMILY MEMBERS TRAIN TOGETHER
Family members Spc. Lynette Mitten, from left, Sgt. 1st Class Paul Burden, Sgt. 1st Class David Andres and Pfc. Michael Andrews are receiving their pre-mobilization training at Camp Gruber in preparation for an upcoming deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. They are among the more than 800 members of the Oklahoma Army National Guard's 45th Fires Brigade, which will deploy this fall. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Kendall James, Joint Force Headquarters Visual Information, Oklahoma Army National Guard)

FAMILY MEMBERS TAKE A BREAK
Family members Spc. Lynette Mitten, from left, Sgt. 1st Class David Andrews, Pfc. Michael Andrews and Sgt. 1st Class Paul Burden, share some family time during a break from their pre-mobilization training at Camp Gruber. The family members will be deploying together to Iraq later this year. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Kendall James, Joint Force Headquarters Visual Information, Oklahoma Army National Guard)

BROTHERS TRAIN TOGETHER
Sgt. Jeffrey Blount, left, Capt. Jarred Blount, Capt. Justin Blount and Sgt. Jason Blount are brothers and members of the Oklahoma Army National Guard's Enid-based 45th Fires Brigade, which is currently receiving their pre-mobilization training at Camp Gruber in preparation for an overseas deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Darren D. Heusel, Joint Force Headquarters Public Affairs, Oklahoma Army National Guard)

DOUBLE CHECKING THE MAP
Pfc. Gregory Self of Oklahoma City, right, identifies terrain features on a map along with Pfc. Nathan Simpson of Norman, left, and Cpl. Christopher Root of Bristow during the land navigation portion of their pre-mobilization training at Camp Gruber. All three Soldiers are assigned to Company B, 158th Field Artillery, 45th Fires Brigade, Oklahoma Army National Guard. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Darren D. Heusel, Joint Force Headquarters Public Affairs, Oklahoma Army National Guard)

40-YEAR OLD TRAINS FOR IRAQ
Pfc. Gregory Self, 40, Company B, 158th Field Artillery, 45th Fires Brigade, Oklahoma Army National Guard, just went through basic training last fall and will be deploying to Iraq with other Soldiers who are the same rank and half his age. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Darren D. Heusel, Joint Force Headquarters Public Affairs, Oklahoma Army National Guard)

FATHER-SON TALK ABOUT TRAINING
Sgt. Maj. Doug Dobbins, left, and his son, Spc. Jason Dobbins, of Altus, share some father-son time while taking a break from their pre-mobilization training at Camp Gruber. The duo is scheduled to deploy to Iraq with the 45th Fires Brigade, Oklahoma Army National Guard, later this fall. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Darren D. Heusel, Joint Force Headquarters Public Affairs, Oklahoma Army National Guard)

FATHER-SON SHARE TIME TOGETHER
Sgt. Maj. Doug Dobbins, left, and his son, Spc. Jason Dobbins, of Altus, share some father-son time while taking a break from their pre-mobilization training at Camp Gruber. The duo is scheduled to deploy to Iraq with the 45th Fires Brigade, Oklahoma Army National Guard, later this fall. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Darren D. Heusel, Joint Force Headquarters Public Affairs, Oklahoma Army National Guard)

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