Approximately 100 members of the Oklahoma Army National Guard's 45th Fires Brigade Unit HHC 271 BSB will be deploying in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. To honor the departing troops, a farewell ceremony was held at the Altus High School football field Friday. Following the send-off, the brigade was set to move to Fort Hood, Texas, where they will spend 60 to 90 days training for convoy security missions, preparing the troops to defend the critical supply lines in and out of Iraq.

The Fires Brigade underwent several premobilization training exercises at Camp Gruber near Braggs, Okla., where Soldiers honed their individual skills such as marksmanship, combat lifesavers course and other common Soldier skills.

“The Soldiers of the 45th FiB have answered our nation's call and we are trained and ready to conduct this mission,” said Col. Glen Moore, 45th FiB commander.

Moore said his Citizen-Soldiers are looking forward to continuing the legacy forged by the Thunderbirds who have gone before them.

As the 45th FiB prepares to deploy, more than 2,600 Soldiers of the 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team are winding down the largest single deployment of Oklahoma National Guard troops since the Korean War.

The 45th IBCT, slated to return home later this year, is currently on a year-long deployment providing security at forward operating bases and internment facilities across Iraq. The majority of the brigade is working in the International Zone in Baghdad.

Brig. Gen. Myles Deering, commander of the 45th IBCT, is serving as Joint Area Support Group-Central Commander.

Both the 45th FiB and 45th IBCT as well as Oklahoma's 90th Troop Command trace their lineage to the 45th Infantry Division which gained fame in World War II and Korea, including 511 combat days in World War II and 429 combat days in Korea.

Approximately 2,500 Oklahoma Army National Guard Soldiers deployed in support of Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm.

During Operation Desert Storm, Oklahoma's 1st Battalion, 158th Field Artillery provided responsive, accurate and devastating fire support, earning the moniker "Steel Rain" from the Iraqi Soldiers.

Units of the 45th IBCT deployed to the Sinai Peninsula and also to Afghanistan in 2003 and since September 11, 2001, more than 5,000 Oklahoma Army National Guard Soldiers and 4,000 members of the Oklahoma Air National Guard have been mobilized in support of Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom and Operation Noble Eagle.

The Oklahoma Army National Guard not only has a long history of overseas duty but also has participated in national defense and disaster relief.

Oklahoma Guard troops were among the first responders to the Oklahoma City bombing in 1995; they provided relief efforts after the May 3, 1999 tornado tore a path through central Oklahoma and the 45th IBCT team was the first fully operational brigade to arrive in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina and lead the military presence in the city for several months.