Buses carrying members of the National Guard unit left the guard armory on Alta Vista Road at 9:00 to the cheers of well-wishers who gathered to wish them luck and a safe return home.
They are headed out-of-state for more training in preparation for their deployment in May.
A "formal" send-off was held at the Gainesville Civic Center last Thursday.
Charlie Company pulls away from National Guard Armory in Gainesville
Hugs and kisses for soldiers bound for Afghanistan
Members of Charlie Company pose for a group photo before boarding buses
One of many handmade placards on display
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