Sen. Inhofe visits Oklahoma soldiers in Afghanistan

TULSA - Oklahoma Senator Jim Inhofe traveled an entire day to visit different Oklahoma infantries stationed in Afghanistan. "It looks like no one could survive walking around there... that's where our kids are," says Inhofe.

He says soldiers from the 45th and 279th Combat Infantry Brigades are stationed in the eastern, most desolate areas of Afghanistan.

3,000 service members from the 45th are on the ground. 800 of them are in Kuwait, the rest in Gamberi. Crews with the 279th are in Ghanzi. He says, "Our kids still have to go out and patrol so they are still in danger. But they are finally to the point where the Afghan National Army is capable of providing their own security. That's a major change."

Private Second Class Michael Miller is just one of the Oklahomans stationed in the country since last summer. Miller didn't make it home for the holidays. His mother, Crystal Stewart, says "He said they brought in the New Year right. When I asked him about it he said they spent 24 hours on the mountain."

Miller's mother says the deployment is taking a toll on her 20-year-old son. "I'll ask him son how are you doing? He says, I'm still breathing."    Stewart says she deeply appreciates Inhofe making the trip. It assures her he is in good hands.

"If they can see first-hand what they are going through, and doing over there, and how it affects our troops, maybe they'll be a little more mindful," Stewart says.

Senator Inhofe says, "I assure them, the level of appreciation, I've never seen it this high and they recognize."

He added that these soldiers could be coming home at the end of March.