RALEIGH, N.C. -- Family and friends of NC National Guard soldiers gathered for a deployment ceremony on Tuesday.

Hope Community Church in Raleigh hosted the event on Tuesday morning at 10 a.m.

The 1-130th Attack Reconnaissance Battalion will head to Fort Hood, Texas, for a few weeks before heading to Afghanistan. 

Soldiers have been participating in gunnery and infantry exercises. 

They say they are ready for the mission ahead and appreciate all of the support they have received.

"All three of our departments have had this kind of send-off, so it's phenomenal. It shows we have the support of our state and our locality. Our families like to see that," said Command Sgt. Maj. JP Cole. 

The soldiers will spend nine months in Afghanistan and are expected to return home next April. 

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