ORONO, Maine (NEWS CENTER) --- Friday night was an emotional one for more than 80 members of Maine's Army National Guard.
Members of the C1-126th Air MEDEVAC company are getting ready to be deployed to Kuwait in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. A special sendoff ceremony was held for them and their families at the University of Maine.
The unit will be handling emergency medical evacuations overseas by flying sick and injured soldier's from combat zones. In the past it has been deployed to Iraq, Bosnia and the Gulf Coast following Hurricane Katrina.
Many members say while their mission is dangerous, they feel that their loved ones are the true heroes.
"It's not what happens to us," said Sgt. Mike Johnson, "it's what happens to the kids when we leave. Seeing your children's face when you have to say goodbye to them and knowing that you're not going to see them for six months to a year...that's the toughest part of our job so far."
The unit will be departing for Kuwait in about one month. It is expected to be overseas for about a year.
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