Approximately 195 Colorado Army National Guardsman bid farewell to family and friends last weekend as the soldiers prepare to head for Kuwait for nearly a year.

The soldiers of 2nd Battalion, 135th General Support Aviation, were honored during a departure ceremony at the Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum in Denver.

May 16, 2012, the Colorado Army National Guard transports patients during the mass-casualty National Disaster Medical System exercise, coordinated by the Denver Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Most of the COARNG MEDEVAC flight crews have been tested under fire in Iraq, while maintaining the best medevac launch time Iraq-wide supporting nearly 2,250 flight hour during a year-long deployment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Capt. Darin Overstreet, Colorado National Guard)
May 16, 2012, the Colorado Army National Guard transports patients during the mass-casualty National Disaster Medical System exercise, coordinated by the Denver Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Most of the COARNG MEDEVAC flight crews have been tested under fire in Iraq, while maintaining the best medevac launch time Iraq-wide supporting nearly 2,250 flight hour during a year-long deployment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Capt. Darin Overstreet, Colorado National Guard)

Following mobilization training at Fort Hood, Texas, the 2-135th GSAB will fall in under the command of 1st Battalion, 137th Assault Helicopter Battalion, headquartered in Ohio. In total, about 700 soldiers from 12 different states will fall in under 185th Aviation Brigade in Kuwait in support of Operation Inherent Resolve.

The will be the eighth deployment for the 2-135th GSAB since 2001. The battalion deployed four times in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and three times in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.