KTVN Channel 2 - Reno Tahoe News Weather, Video - Ceremony Held to Mark Start of Afghanistan Deployment

Dozens of Nevada soldiers from Bravo Company 1-189th General Support Aviation Battalion marked the official start of their deployment to Afghanistan with plenty of ceremony.

"On behalf of all Nevadans, I admire your dedication and respect your service more than words can describe," says Gov. Brian Sandoval.

The Reno-based unit includes 60 soldiers from Nevada and 60 from Montana and will be deployed to Afghanistan for a year.

While there they'll fly Chinook helicopters and perform transport missions including troop and equipment transports and casualty evacuations.

They say the experience is sometimes difficult but also rewarding.

"I think the best way you could describe it is a roller coaster, it's good sometimes and it's lousy sometimes and you just go t to make the best of it and that is why you have comrades in arms," says SSG Richard Rohweder Jr. of the Army National Guard.

Capt. Mike Bordallo adds, "We appreciate all the comunity support that's been shown to us. Without the community and the backing of the community, we couldn't do what we do."

Next week they'll head to Fort Hood, Texas for more training before traveling to Afghanistan at the end of March.