Senator Jim Inhofe Talks About Visit With 45th Soldiers In Afghanistan

An Oklahoma Senator is back on the home front. Senator Jim Inhofe says 2012 is off to a good start for Oklahoma soldiers serving in Afghanistan.

Inhofe stepped off a plane Monday after a 25-hour flight and came to our studio for an interview.

As a member of the senate armed services committee, Senator Inhofe has made this a tradition seeing in the New Year with Oklahoma troops serving overseas.

Senator Inhofe says he was also gratified to see the progress being made by these soldiers from Oklahoma's 45th infantry brigade.

One of their primary missions is to train Afghan troops to defend themselves.

"We offer support, we offer intelligence. But its thanks to the Oklahoma 45th that you can see light at the end of the tunnel, where they'll be able to supply their own security," Inhofe said.

Still, the danger here is very real. 2011 was a brutal year. Since deploying in July, 14 soldiers from the 45th have been killed.

Senator Inhofe says seeing in the New Year, their spirits are high, and he believes their goals are at hand.

"They're scheduled at the end of 2014 to be out of Afghanistan and I think that will happen. That could well happen even before that," Inhofe said.

Inhofe says he did hear one area of serious concern. Troops in the 279th infantry battalion stationed in Ganzi say their equipment is not up to standard.

Inhofe says he'll investigate and do everything he can to get the situation resolved.