As they prepared to deploy, soldiers of Charlie Troop, Aurora 2nd Squadron, 106th Cavalry, kept remarkably high spirits.

After saying goodbye to family and friends in a ceremony at East Aurora High School Saturday, the soldiers will eventually deploy to undisclosed locations in Afghanistan, where they will train and prepare Afghan police.

“I’m kind of indifferent — I’m not scared at all,” said Spc. Chris Rudenga, a 23-year-old soldier from Bensenville. “I guess I should be.”

“It’s always dangerous,” said Staff Sgt. Dale Reuter, a Glen Ellyn resident who has deployed several times as a member of the National Guard and Marine Corps. “To me, this is just a job. It’s what I like to do.”

As part of Task Force Phoenix, the Charlie Troop members have deployed with 3,000 Illinois National guardsmen and women, the largest mass deployment of Illinois guard members since World War II. Most of the 60 troop members will be put in a difficult position of training new police officers in Afghanistan where corruption has made it difficult to identify friendly forces from enemies. 

“I know what’s going on out there, so I know what to expect,” said Pfc. Nick Sheridan, 19, of Batavia.

 Soldiers have gone to Fort Riley, Kansas, and Fort Bragg, N.C., for two months of training before leaving for a 10-month deployment.

Parents and family on Saturday waved American flags, wiped tears away and wished their departing soldiers farewell.

Rudenga’s mother, Diane Eenigenburg of Westmont, said she will keep a blue star service flag on display at her Petite Suite store, where Rudenga is an assistant manager.

After the ceremony, some soldiers held their children, others laughed and ate with friends and family. Many soldiers remained in the cafeteria at East Aurora High School.

After serving six years in the National Guard, St. Charles resident Patrick Henning re-enlisted when he heard his unit was deploying.

“I just can’t wait to get my job done,” said Henning, 25.

Henning’s parents, Dale and Kathy of West Chicago, plan to send him care packages through the West Chicago VFW.

Capt. Nathan Westby, Charlie Troop commander, said the group has been preparing for deployment since November, when they began doing 131 “warrior tasks” that include weapons qualification, cultural awareness and communication training.

“They’re ready. They know their job well,” Westby, a Carol Stream program analyst, said of his troop. “A lot of guys have deployed before and are eager to be put back in the game.”

Lisle resident Brian Allen was the first member of his family to join the U.S. military. The 21-year-old will put his history studies at Northern Illinois University on hold.

“I believe in what we’re doing,” said Allen, who was joined by his parents, Jack and Barb, and his sister, Kait. “We have an important mission and a chance to serve the country and help people. It’s really an honor.”

Allen’s mother said she will pray for her son’s safety.

“It’s going to be tough. It’s kind of scary,” Barb Allen said. “I hope he’ll return safe.”

Charlie Troop members from across Northern Illinois include Spc. Adam Koshiol of Darien, Sgt. Michael Hoover of Downers Grove, Spc. Gerik Wysocki of Wheaton, First Sgt. Steven Krause of Woodridge and Spc. Lewis Schrank of Naperville.

“It is a world where people will take advantage of the weak,” said state Rep. Linda Chapa LaVia, who spoke at Saturday’s deployment. “There must be people willing to take a stand. ... You are those people.”