Heading To Iraq

It's tough to say goodbye.  It's even tougher when those leaving will be gone for a long time, to a dangerous place.  The News On 6's Steve Berg reports a ceremony was held on Wednesday for the 834th Aviation Maintenance Company of the Oklahoma National Guard.

It will be an entire year before they set foot back in Oklahoma.  That means a year away from friends and family.  At the ceremony, there are smiles of pride and tears of worry.  Emotions run the gamut.

"I'm really proud, but I'm scared, nervous, but mostly proud," said Conlee Barker.

Conlee Baker's son Clayton Hawkins is eager to get to work.

"Ready to get it done, go do it," said Clayton Hawkins.

But, Clayton is not quite ready to let go of little daughter, Vanessa.  Luckily, technology will help the maintenance experts in more ways than one.

"We've got pictures and video and internet so we'll get to keep up," said Clayton Hawkins.

"You just have to support them and say a prayer and be happy and make it through it.  That's the only way you can make it through it as a wife and a mom.  And, we're going to make it," said Stacy Hawkins.

Kenneth Earley, who's never been overseas, says he's trying to look at it as a vacation.

"I'm going to work on my tan, get good at building sand castles, hopefully," said Kenneth Earley.

Meanwhile, his mom and grandma were putting on a brave face.

"He's an only child.  He's been living in Tulsa the last couple of years, but he's never been away from home, and I think we all hate to see him go.  Don't you?" said Zora Forbes, Earley's grandmother.

The company will work on a variety of aircraft, mainly helicopters.  By going, they'll allow other maintenance workers in Iraq to come home.

"I know he's going to do a good job, and I'm already ready for him to come home," said Chad Hawkins, Clayton's brother.

The thought of 12 months far from home is never far from their minds.

"I just hope everybody stays safe and keeps us in their prayers," said Kenneth Earley.

Related story:

5/27/2008  Soldiers Bound For Iraq