More than 300 soldiers from the Los Alamitos area are on their way to Iraq for a 12-month deployment. They began their journey to Ft. Hood there first stop in three stages - Beginning this past Sunday, Monday, and the main body on Tuesday August 10th. These soldiers are members of the California National Guard's 1-140th Aviation (Air Assault) Battalion, based in Los Alamitos. They fly and maintain Black Hawk helicopters, and will help move troops and supplies during their deployment in central Iraq.

On Saturday, friends and family gathered to bid them farewell before they embark. The Commander of the California Army National Guard, Maj. Gen. John Harrel, served as the key note speaker. They go at "critical times," as the United States draws down its forces in Iraq, Maj. Gen. John S. Harrel - the commander of the California Army National Guard - told them. "Godspeed," he said. "God bless the American Army. Hoo-ah!"

The soldiers will be gone for about a year, and many agree that the hardest part will be leaving their loved ones behind. This deployment comes after the commander of the U.S. forces in Iraq, Gen. Ray Odierno, said that Iraq's military is ready and able to take over security operations as American combat forces prepare to withdraw.

In Iraq, the battalion will serve a crucial role in supporting the troop drawdown taking place theater-wide. Primarily in Iraq's central region, the 1-140th Aviation (Air Assault) Battalion will provide a variety of aviation support to military personnel throughout Iraq.

"The 1-140th Aviation Battalion (Task Force Long Knife) has been preparing for deployment to Iraq for a year," said Lt. Col. Jeffrey Holliday, the 1-140th Commander. "We are eager to serve our country and state and look forward to our safe and successful return."