Fort Rucker soldiers to deploy in Operation Iraqi Freedom

By Ebony Horton

Published: June 26, 2008

FORT RUCKER — An American flag dangled from 13-year-old Isaiah Price’s pocket as he watched his dad, Staff Sgt. Robert Price, salute.

The staff sergeant’s stance was another image of reality for Isaiah’s family. Their soldier is one of more than 80 of the 164th Theater Airfield Operations Group and 1-58th Airfield Operations Battalion expected to deploy to Kuwait and Iraq in July in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Both the group and battalion developed less than two years ago, according to the Fort Rucker Public Affairs Office.

The 1-58th AOB is the first AOB to deploy since the Army reorganized Air Traffic Services.

About 40 percent of the group and battalion soldiers had been deployed before with other units, battalion commander Lt. Col. David Rude said.

Soldiers said they were ready to complete their next mission.

“When I got here (to Fort Rucker) last year we had no equipment, no building. Every day has consisted of building up to this point so I’m glad we’re finally going,” Army Spc. Albert Herrera said.

His mother, Debra Leal-Herrera, came from San Antonio to see him off.

“My daughter was deployed in 2004. ... You have to rely on your faith,” she said.

Neither Rude nor battalion Sgt. Maj. Kenneth Bolden offered false hope to families who gathered around the soldiers during a deployment ceremony at the Army Aviation Museum on Thursday.
Instead, most remarks encouraged the residents to stay strong.

“I would love to say the deployment will be over and soldiers will be back in no time, but that is just not true. Please keep ... all deployed warriors in your prayers,” Bolden said.
“We’ll be home soon ... The soldiers were trained to be mentally and physically tough ...”

Isaiah Price said he was sad to see his father go but was surrounded by family.

“I’m gonna miss him a lot. It’s gonna be a long time,” Isaiah said.