They’ll be gone more than four months, serving in the Middle East. They were honored Friday at a mobilization ceremony for Oregon Air National Guard's 116th Air Squadron at the Portland Air Base.Bob Birman is Operations Superintendent for 116th Air Squadron. He says this is the first time in recent years so many airmen and women from the 116th Air Control Squadron have been deployed at once. “Make sure that we know who’s flying; we make sure that any of our weapons systems out there can employ their weapons. That’s’ what we’re to do.” Steve Ladoo is Radar Maintainer with 270th Air Traffic Control Squadron out of Klamath Falls. He's one of three people from his unit to join 116th, the Longracks: “I’m more anxious at this moment. I’ve never left my family for this type of duration.” The group will work in the Persian Gulf but other details about their location are being kept confidential.