Family and fellow soldiers bid farewell Monday to more than 40 military police officers headed to Iraq.

KSPR's Natalie Swallow tells us how the soldiers prepared and what they look forward to when they come home.

More than 40 soldiers from the 252nd Military Police Detachment are on their way to Iraq this week.

The MPs will serve as law enforcement at base camps in Iraq.

Training to go started in April. Now it's time to put it into action.

"We're very prepared for this mission, our leadership has trained us very well. They've set up very good scenarios to train on, and I'm just ready to go," Sgt. Geoffrey Gomez said.

For many, serving their country is a family tradition.

"Everybody in my family has served for this country, both my grandfathers, my dad, my aunt," said Sgt. Gomez.

"My father was in the military, my grandfather, and it just kind of fit," added Spc. Kyrie O’Harra.

These soldiers say they're ready to go, but already have plans for when they come back.

Sgt. Gomez said he’s ready to "get the mission done and come back to our families."

"I'm getting married, we're going to Jamaica to get married in September," Spc. O’Harra said.

And also, fatherhood for Andrew Tamez and his wife, Sara.

"I'm just scared to do it alone, and I'm worried about him too, just being away from his daughter that long," Sara Tamez said.

The soldiers will be in Iraq for more than 9 months and could be there for as long as 15.

Soldiers in the MP detachment come from all across America, including Alabama, Florida, Ohio, and Hawaii.