SPOKANE VALLEY - With infants in their arms, Post Falls mothers Vicky Allen and Courtney Clawson met each other for the first time on Tuesday during the deployment ceremony for the U.S. Army Reserve unit based in Hayden.

They pondered the long days ahead while their husbands train in Fort Bliss, Texas, followed by nine months in Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

"I'm savoring the moments we have together," Allen said during the ceremony at the Central Valley High football field in Spokane Valley. "We're hoping they come back safely.

"I don't think you can ever fully prepare for this."

Allen then thought about what will help her get through the deployment of the 455th Engineer Company. It's the satisfaction of knowing that her husband - Cpl. James Allen - is eager and willing to serve to defend our country's freedoms.

"I'm very proud of my soldier," she said softly. "He loves his job."

Technology, she said, will allow her to stay in touch with her husband. But she also recognizes there will be stretches in which there will be no communication.

"We may just have to communicate the old-fashioned way by letter," she said.

More than 100 soldiers from the "Wolfpack" unit, including 25 from Kootenai County, leave today for training in Fort Bliss. In Afghanistan, they will be responsible for route clearance patrols, engineering missions, training locals and security.

The soldiers recently completed 28 days of training in Fort Irwin, Calif.

Clawson, wife of Spc. Dalton Clawson, said family activities and those with fellow soldier families will be key in the coming months to help with the tough moments.

"We also bought iPads so we can talk with him," she said. "I hope that works."

The 455th was put on notice twice before about a possible deployment, and the orders came last month that it would be real this time.

Christy Mathis, wife of Spc. Chris Vandissel, said the deployment wasn't a shock, but the departure time has come too fast.

"I've come to terms that it's going to be difficult, but I'm also proud," she said. "His words are, 'This is what I signed up for.' It's his duty."

This will be the first deployment for Pvt. Cameron Jones of Sandpoint.

"I'm excited and nervous at the same time," he said. "I'm looking forward to getting it over. It's a great group, so I'm not too worried about it."

Lt. Col. Gregory Wooten encouraged soldiers to stay in touch with the homefront as much as possible.

"Even if it's a Facebook post stating you're OK," he said.

Wooten said that after 30 years of serving it still baffles him how generation after generation volunteers to defend our country. He said the various reasons share a common thread.

"These men and women - all the way to the marrow of their bones - simply want to do what's right," he said. "In their heart, they know they are protecting not only you but other countries. The right thing to do is stop tyranny."

Wooten said some people may wonder why the unit is being deployed when it seems the war in Afghanistan is all but over with recent drawdowns.

"Please don't overthink it," he said to the crowd of about 450. "I can't explain it, but the bottom line is that it's not over. The 455th has been tasked to help finish it up."