COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO. -- Fifty airmen and three aircraft from Peterson Air Force base are on their way to the Middle East.
It’s the third deployment for these air force reservists.
Families of the 302nd Air Wing gathered early Wednesday morning at the flight line at Peterson to say their goodbyes. For many in this group, this will be their third deployment.
This time they will be part of the new Iraqi operation New Dawn.
"They are going to be transporting personnel and equipment and supplies," Colonel James Vanhousen said.
Master Sergeant James Scharfenberg has been with the 302nd for more than 20 years and even deployed in the first Gulf War.
"My job is to take care of the airplane and make sure they are ready to go for the next mission," Master Sergeant Sharfenberg said.
The 302nd deployed in 2005 and 2008, so Scharfenberg knows once they are on the ground in Iraq there will be a lot of long days.
"They are typically about 12 hour days anywhere from 5-6 days a week over there," Sharfenberg said.
They are taking three of their C-130 Hercules with them for the four month deployment. They will not only transport people and supplies - they will also help evacuate wounded soldiers.
Commanders said in Iraq and Afghanistan there is a huge need for these planes and the mission they perform. Scharfenberg will leave behind his wife who is a supply tech for the unit but wasn’t called to deploy this time.
“It’s a little bit easier with her being in the military she understands what I am going through," Sharfenberg said.
There will be a total of 150 reserve airman and four C-130's deployed to Iraq this week.
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