Two more Oklahoma Guard units activated for duty

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ Two Ardmore-based Oklahoma National Guard units have reported for active duty and will be deployed later this week overseas. <br><br>About 60 soldiers from the 345th Support Battalion

Wednesday, February 12th 2003, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ Two Ardmore-based Oklahoma National Guard units have reported for active duty and will be deployed later this week overseas.

About 60 soldiers from the 345th Support Battalion and 140 from the 1245th Transportation Company will support U.S. Central Command in the Horn of Africa, the Middle East and South and Central Asia, Col. Pat Scully, spokesman for the Oklahoma National Guard, said Tuesday.

``They are supporting Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Noble Eagle,'' Scully said. ``That's how the orders read.''

Lt. Col. Phillip Burgess, a spokesman for 345th, said the soldiers reported Monday and Tuesday.

The 345th offers support services such as laundry, rationing, fuel and ammunition support, and transportation and maintenance assistance.

The 1245th Transportation Company is a heavy vehicle transportation company which helps transport, load and unload heavy equipment.

Pvt. Misty Williams, a member of the 345th, said she learned she was being mobilized a day after finishing her advanced individual training. Soldiers go through advanced training after completing basic training.

``I was really taken by surprise, but I'm excited to go,'' said Williams, 18, of Durant. ``My family is very worried, but you know we were trained very well. Six months ago I would have never dreamed that I'd be headed overseas.''

Both units will serve one year of active duty and could be called for a second year, Scully said.

A farewell ceremony will be held for these units Thursday at 7 p.m. in the Ardmore high school gym.

``We try to do these (farewell ceremonies) as much as we can for the families and to let the community say 'thank you,''' Burgess said.