EXCLUSIVE: A look into the day 3rd Brigade soldiers left Fort Hood for deployment

FORT HOOD, Texas (KWTX) - Every day thousands of American service members serve on deployments around the world.

On August 28, the 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team known as Greywolf packed up their unit’s flag.

A traditional color casing ceremony signaled an upcoming deployment to Europe.

“Now in the coming weeks, troopers of the Greywolf will deploy to Europe in support of Operation Atlantic Resolve,” said Maj. Gen. Thomas Feltey, Commanding General of 1st Cavalry Division during his speech at the ceremony. “Since Russia’s aggression in Crimea in 2014, this Division has provided forces in steadfast support against the spread of instability in Europe.”

In early September, soldiers geared up and prepared for one of the hardest parts of military service, saying goodbye to their families knowing they may not make it home.

Sergeant First Class Miguel Gonzalez said goodbye on a day he and his family had been anticipating for weeks.

“All the bills, are they going to be good? Living situation?” Gonzalez asked. “Hopefully, nothing goes wrong while I’m gone -- car trouble, house trouble, things like that.”

It has been more than a decade since SFC Gonzalez had tell his family the Army needs him overseas.

A deployment that will take a toll on his family.

“Just him being gone and with so much going on, we don’t know what’s going to happen, and it’s just hard,” said Monica Gonzalez, SFC. Gonzalez’s wife.

This is the first time his daughter Lieanna has had to say goodbye to her dad for a deployment.

“Well I’m just confused because I don’t know how it’s going to be without him and I don’t know how I’m going to get through it,” said Lieanna Gonzalez.

It will be months before they get to see him in person again and they all had something they needed to say before he leaves.

“It’s going to be hard the next 9-months without you and we want to let you know we love you,” Lieanna said to her dad.

“Stay strong and we love you,” Monica said to her husband. “We’ll be here for you. We promise.”

“Told you that ever since 9/11 happened, this is where I needed to be. This is what I wanted to do,” said Gonzalez. “I love everybody and I’ll be back in 9-months.”

After an emotional goodbye to their families, they load up on busses and head to the airport.

After months of preparing things at home they have to trust they have done enough, it’s time to leave family and emotions behind.

After they get off the buses they check in then head to this waiting area.

Some soldiers taking this chance to catch up on sleep, other’s finding ways do deal with nerves.

“It’s my first rotation going so I’m excited to see what it’s about,” said a solider.

“Shout out to my mom, shout out to my mom,” said another soldier.

“Hey, how’s it going baby? I’ll come home soon, okay,” said a soldier standing outside.

As for Gonzalez, he sat patiently in the waiting area.

“Yeah, we have to wait for them to load up the bags, make sure that there’s no dangerous contraband, and get briefed on standards and discipline on the plane,” said SFC. Gonzalez.

“Failure to follow these directions may be considered a violation of the Uniform Code of Military Justice, or Federal/State law for any civilians aboard, and will be dealt with accordingly,” said the soldier giving the preflight briefing.

SFC. Gonzalez is now read to get to work and back home to his family.

“I’m actually more excited now the closer we get,” said SFC. Gonzalez. “Anxious and ready to do this. The hardest part was getting to the airport. Now, it’s loading up and once we’re there, the next step is to fly over there and start our mission.”

Now he joins the team he helps lead to answer the nations call.

“God bless America and God bless 3rd Brigade. Win every fight,” said one soldier boarding the plane.

“It’s heavy, all this stuff is heavy,” said another soldier boarding.

“I love my family and I hope I make them proud with what I’m doing,” said another soldier.

These are just a fraction of the 4,000 soldiers with the 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team serving in Europe to support NATO allies and deter aggression in the area.

Soldiers saying goodbye to their families to answer the call.

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