May God Bless and keep them safe.
Technically, zero-dark-thirty is 12:30 a.m. But it is really early.
Tough to say goodbye to the little ones. Especially at these butt-early movements to the airport/AFB. When I went to Afghanistan, we had a 0200 formation for a 0330 movement to Seattle. My two-year old daughter was not too enthralled with being awake at that hour, and it was very hard saying goodbye to her and my wife.
I hope these folks can keep focused on the task at hand and get back unscathed with 100% mission accomplishment.
God bless them and their families.
Been there, done that.