About a hundred soldiers from the California Army National Guard gathered in Fresno on Saturday in preparation for their deployment.
As the longest war in American history draws to a close, first Lieutenant Nathan Brooks' war is just getting started.
"A long time ago I signed up as a soldier in the National Guard and part of that deal is going out to serve when you are called upon," said Brooks’.
Brooks’ and about a hundred other soldiers from California's Army National Guard gathered in Fresno Saturday to say good-bye to family and friends before deploying to Afghanistan and Kuwait.
For Sgt. William Vanhorn, the hardest part is leaving behind his wife and five kids who are no stranger to watching him go off to war.
"You know it is a little bit different because you kind of know what to expect. So that at times makes it harder but I think we are a strong family and we will be fine," said his wife Miranda Vanhorn.
The 1106th will repair and transport aviation systems while they are deployed over the next year. A challenging assignment, but one Sgt. Vanhorn says both he and his family believe in.
"They know it is hard and I know it is hard, but we have expectations and hope for a positive outcome in the end," said Vanhorn.
