A DEPLOYMENT CEREMONY FOR THE MORE THAN 150 MEN AND WOMEN OF THE 63RD ENGINEER COMPANY - THIS MORNING AT FORT BENNING.
THE LEDGER-ENQUIRER'S LILY GORDON WAS THERE.
AS FORT BENNING PREPARES TO WELCOME HOME MEMBERS OF THE 3RD HEAVY BRIGADE COMBAT TEAM, IT IS SAYING GOODBYE TO SOLDIERS WITH THE 63RD ENGINEER COMPANY OF THE 11TH ENGINEER BATTALION.

TODAY THE FAMILIES AND FRIENDS OF THESE IRAQ-BOUND MEN AND WOMEN GATHERED AT LAWSON ARMY AIRFIELD TO SAY GOODBYE, EVEN THOUGH THE COMPANY WON'T BE SHIPPING OUT TO IRAQ UNTIL SUNDAY. 11TH ENGINEER COMMANDER LT. COL. PAUL OWEN SAID THIS TEAM WILL BE CLEARING ROUTES AND ROADS AROUND BAQUBA, MAKING SURE THEY ARE FREE OF DEADLY IMPROVISED EXPLOSIVE DEVICES.

"Their job is to go down the roads and make sure the insurgents..."

THE 63RD ENGINEER COMPANY WILL BE DEPLOYED FOR 15 MONTHS. IT IS ONE OF THE LAST UNITS TO DO SO, AS THE ARMY IS DOING AWAY WITH THEM NO LATTER THAN SEPTEMBER.

"We're called to do a job..."
"They knew..."

FOR PRIVATE FIRST CLASS MATTHEW BARGERON, THE NERVES HAVE SET IN. HE IS LEAVING HIS WIFE AND TWO DAUGHTERS BEHIND FOR HIS FIRST DEPLOYMENT.

"I'm a little nervous..."

MELISSA BARGERON HAS ALREADY MADE PLANS TO LIVE WITH FAMILY MEMBERS DURING THE DEPLOYMENT.

"I'm actually moving back..."

WITHIN DAYS, SOLDIERS WITH THE THIRD HEAVY BRIGADE COMBAT TEAM WILL BE RETURING TO FORT BENNING FROM THEIR MOST RECENT MISSION IN IRAQ.

THE TRANSITION SHOULD BE SMOOTH FOR THIS MILITARY COMMUNITY, WHICH HAS SEEN THOUSANDS OF MEN AND WOMEN BOARD PLANES TO FOREIGN PLACES AND RETURN HEROES.

REPORTING FOR THE LEDGER-ENQUIRER, I'M LILY GORDON.