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250 local soldiers deploy to Kuwait

CORAOPOLIS, Pa. — Family and friends said goodbye to more than 250 local soldiers on Monday before they began a deployment to Kuwait.

Members of the 316th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) gathered at the U.S. Army Reserve Center in Coraopolis for a special ceremony before beginning their journey.

For many of the soldiers, this is their first deployment and it's met with mixed emotions.

"Yeah, I'll be a little bit sad, especially because my sister is not able to be here with me today.  I'm excited, but another thing I'm nervous about is the 130-degree weather over there," said Caroline Shaw, Army reservist.

The 316th will provide support overseas by handling the movement of everything from bullets to food.

"I'm proud that my son is going and God willing and God's protection he'll be back," said military mom Diana Lewis.

Officials said the deployment will last 11 months with two months spent at Fort Hood.