Soldiers don't use the word "scared."

They're "proud" to serve their country or "focused" on their mission.

But Friday's deployment of the Wyoming contingent of the 2nd Battalion 300th Field Artillery Regiment at the Natrona County International Airport was an event so emotional, whether because the soldiers were worried about being away from their families for about a year and a half or because of the dangerous jobs they will take on in Iraq, some departed from their patriotic scripts.

"I'm a little apprehensive, but I'm ready to go," said Staff Sgt. Craig Johnson of Lander as he stood with his wife outside the hangar where almost 200 troops gathered at 8 a.m.

Johnson described the intensity of the training over the last few days, how he regained his military bearing. His wife Rhonda started to cry as he talked.

Is there anything that makes a day like this easier?

"No there isn't," Rhonda said, "It's just going to be hard."

Their two sons, aged 14 and 16, didn't have much to say. They skipped the state swimming tournament in Gillette to be with their father.

"I guess that's what keeps me going, is those two," said Rhonda.

There were nearly 200 soldiers, one with a cadre of family members and friends snapping last-minute pictures of dad and son, both wearing camouflage pants, and videotaping the scene in the NERD hangar. The soldiers are going to Ft. Dix, N.J., for six to eight weeks before heading to Iraq to serve in a military police role.

John Best met his wife Mary playing checkers on the Internet. He moved from North Carolina to Casper in August and started going to Casper College.

They got married last Saturday.

"We originally planned for Dec. 25 of this year but before we could, we got put on active alert," said Best, in a quiet, Southern twang.

His wife, stepdaughter, mother-in-law and a family friend plied him with small gifts - prayer cards, stamps, a furry jackalope "that lost his horns" - until he had to line-up for roll call.

On the tarmac, moving among the C-130s that carried the soldiers' gear, 1st Sgt. Mark Beyl said he wanted to go with his soldiers, but he isn't. A first sergeant goes with his men, Beyl reasoned. (Women are not allowed in combat arms units.)

Beyl caught himself.

"My mission now is to make sure the soldiers staying here are taken care of and their families are taken care of," he said. "That's my mission and I'm proud to do it."

SFC Pete Zellner manages the National Guard Armory in Douglas and has to stay behind.

"I think that might be even harder than going," he said.

At 10 a.m., the charter airplanes were ready. U.S. Rep. Barbara Cubin and a line-up of the state Army National Guard leadership, including Adjutant General Ed Wright, shook hands with the troops as they made their way to the airplane.

Some waved before they climbed the airplane stairs. One soldier turned around and flashed the peace sign.

At the edge of the open hangar door, friends and family made a wall of cameras, teary eyes and children too young to know what was going on. The flight crew of the charter plane closed the door. The plane taxied and took off.

Earlier, Bil Wattenberg said he had come because his sister's husband was leaving. He went to the airport to support her and her five-year old daughter.

"I'm her mac and cheese in the world," Wattenberg said of his niece. "Mac and cheese" is her way of saying "I love you," he explained.

He planned to help his sister drive around town, make sure she could get where she needed to go while her husband is away. He said the family will support his sister because they know her husband, Jesse Alcala, is doing the right thing by going to Iraq.

"Family is family," he said.