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‘This really hits close to home’ | Loudon County Sheriff’s Office hoping for safe return of 3 deputies currently stationed in the Middle East Missiles being fired back and forth between Iran & Israel, Tennessee Army National Guard 278th Regiment has soldiers stationed in Kuwait

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) - Three Loudon County deputies: Chief Deputy Zac Frye, Deputy Bo Jones and Detective Shane Gaumer, are currently serving their country in Kuwait.

They serve in the Tennessee Army National Guard 278th Armor Cavalry Unit. They have been on a routine tour since August 2024.

Now, the county they serve is worrying for these three deputies as missiles are being fired in the Middle East.

“These are names I say on a regular basis, I talk to several of those guys on a regular basis and you know it’s scary we want them going back safe and all we can do is we can pray that the Lord keeps the watch over,” Loudon County Buddy Bradshaw said.

Loudon County Sheriff’s Office’s Deputy Chief Chris Hutchens said for those three deputies to be there during a time like this is concerning for all.

“It’s very concerning, obviously they’re in that area right in the middle of everything,” Hutchens said. “They’re over there taking care of what they need to take care of, they’re very close to coming home. So, for us, it raises a level of concern for them and just making sure their families are okay and that they know that we’re still here for them.”

Hutchens said they know those deputies can take care of themselves, but it does not stop them worrying about their friends.

“It’s very scary because when we’re here and we’re operating the community, we feel like we have some control over it and we’re there with them and we’re in those in those situations locally with them,” Hutchens said. “They’re in a whole another level of danger and we really as action oriented people are sitting on our hands hoping that they’re ok, and so it’s a very helpless feeling. But you also have a lot of faith and trust in them because you know how professional they are, and how competent they are.”

Bradshaw said as this situation goes on, he hopes for the return of his community members and every service member currently deployed.

“Scary enough for our guys to be over there in deployment, but then you see that now that it’s really going to pick up as far as the the conflict and probably looking at maybe looking at several high intensity events,” Bradshaw said. “We worry for our guys and we want all of our men and women in armed services to get back, but you know this really hits close to home because these are faces and names that you see on a regular basis.”