Orange County Executive Steve Neuhaus is getting ready to deploy to Europe as part of the U.S. humanitarian effort helping Ukrainian refugees.

The U.S. is mobilizing troops to help humanitarian efforts as millions of refugees flee the war-torn country for safety.

"This is a real mess, and it's getting worse and worse every day. We're not going to fight Russians right now. We're going to help people," says Neuhaus.

Neuhaus is one of many servicemembers answering the call to duty after getting military orders over the weekend.

This will be his fourth tour overseas as a lieutenant commander in the Navy Reserve.

"I got a call that said get ready you are being mobilized and it's gonna be fast tracked," he says.

Neuhaus says the heartbreaking images of mothers and children killed while trying to flee the country is motivation for him to leave his own family behind.

"It's in our nature as Americans to want to help, and I'm lucky I get to do that," he says.

The 48-year-old married father of four will fly to Italy and will likely serve there and in other NATO countries such as Germany and Poland.

He says he will likely remain there for several months before returning to his responsibilities here at home.

Friday is likely Neuhaus' last day on the job before he's deployed.

The county executive is expected in Europe by early next week.

Deputy County Executive Harry Porr will be in charge until Neuhaus returns.