The United States Navy currently has 45,660 men and women deployed. There are 330,327 men and women on active duty. Those on duty are waiting to be called.
Whether on a boat or in the air they are leaving behind a lot. With each deployment the number of enlisted sailors is growing. As well as the number of loved ones left behind. Each deployment is a change in the war.
Of the forces currently deployed in Iraq as of June 1, 2008 around 19,800 were Navy. During Operation Iraqi Freedom, Iraq, from the dates of 19 Mar 2003 through 6 Feb 2010. 65 Naval men were injured and 633 were killed in action. The fear associated with deployment has to be overwelming.
After eight years of service Shawn Buckman, U.S. Navy: Master At Arms E-5, is set to deploy within the next few months. Buckman says, "I guess dying would be the obvious answer most would give, but I think it would be for me freezing and not properly reacting to something where my actions could get someone else hurt or killed."
Buckman says, "the hardest thing about leaving is saying goodbye to my wife and kids." He will be over seas for more than 10 months. Coming home to hold his family will be the best thing upon return.
In order to maintain the 160,000 U.S. troops the Pentagon ordered growing numbers of Air Force and Navy personnel into combat. Which, in turn, means more of our Navy will be sent over seas. The Tinker Base waits to see what will be seen in the future.
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