Nearly 200 Airmen from Shaw Air Force Base will soon be deployed. This will the first deployment for the base, to Afghanistan. The preparation process is complicated. It includes a series of briefings and discussions on legal, health and financial matters.
It's still months away from the holiday season, but for Midlands Airmen like Master Sergeant Maurice Toole, the celebrations are starting early.
"We're actually going to do Thanksgiving this weekend, and that's what it's all about," said Master Sgt. Maurice Toole.
Toole will soon be deployed with nearly 200 Airmen from the base. The 79th Fighter Squadron will head to Afghanistan. On Wednesday they tackled the tedious task of getting their affairs in order.
"We're making sure all of our paperwork is together; touching bases with different agencies to make sure we cross our T's and dot our I's," said Toole. "Making sure our wills are together."
23-year-old Airman Ryan Ridolphi, never thought he would draw up a will so early in life. But he's taking the steps to get things done.
"You want to make sure everything is in check so you don't have to think back 'Did I forget to do something?'" said Ridolphi.
"I know that it's important that when I left my wife and my kids able to carry on, take care of the house and cars," said Toole.
It's a process that meant spending hours in line. But for Toole and his fellow Airmen, it's part of protecting and serving our country.
The exact date has not been set, but the Airmen are expected to deploy sometime in October.
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