JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq - Indianapolis Colt Kelvin Hayden's interception in the AFC championship game on Sunday allowed Indiana National Guard Soldiers of the 38th Combat Aviation Brigade to breathe a sigh of relief as the game was finally in hand for the Colts.
"Pack your bags. We're going to Miami," said Staff Sgt. Mike Huser, an intelligence analyst with the Shelbyville, Ind.-based unit.
While Huser isn't really travelling to south Florida, his favorite team is.
Watching the Indianapolis Colts games are a morale boost, said Huser, who was also instrumental in setting up viewing parties for his fellow Soldiers.
"It gives me something to focus on besides being here, and it brings the unit together," he said.
Huser also hosted a viewing party for the Colts' win over the Baltimore Ravens, and he plans to hold another for the Super Bowl. While the Indiana troops will have to wait for that, they've enjoyed the parties and their time together while watching the Colts.
"I thought it was great," said Maj. Marquette Rubin, the unit's signal officer and Indianapolis resident. "I thought he (Huser) did a great job organizing the parties, which really boosted people's morale. The parties allowed us to enjoy the game together and watch the Colts' victory."
Rubin also enjoyed seeing reminders of home, the fans inside and the Indianapolis skyline shots.
"It was a good feeling seeing that, but I didn't envy the weather," said Rubin.
The 38th CAB Soldiers deployed to Iraq in August in support of Operation Iraq Freedom, and they provide air-to-ground support aviation missions for United States Forces-Iraq.