An emotional roller coaster Friday on Fort Drum. Soldiers say goodbye to friends and family at a special ceremony signaling the start of the 3rd Brigade's Tour of Duty to Afghanistan. Our Brian Dwyer was there and has the story.

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FORT DRUM, N.Y. -- Wearing brand new uniforms, the 3rd Brigade looked as ready as ever.

The 3,500 soldiers about to embark on one of the toughest journey's of their lives, get a chance to say good bye to loved ones. A packed house on Fort Drum as they case their colors and get ready for a year overseas.

"A lot of emotions today. In fact, we had soldiers leaving today in front of the brigade headquarters. So families out there saying goodbye to their soldiers as they get ready to deploy to Southern Afghanistan for 12 months. A lot of emotions in the 3rd Brigade today," said Col. Patrick Frank, 3rd BCT Commander.

"That's the epitome of mixed emotions, yes. You're family is behind, but you go with brothers to go do what you've been training to do," said PFC Joshua Peach.

And this brigade has been training a lot. Six months of work leading up to a month at Fort Polk in Louisiana this past November. And after that, working with Watertown leaders, Syracuse and Cornell Universities, all trying to learn what it takes to not just win a battle, but maybe just as important, win the trust of the Afghan people.

"Our mission in Afghanistan is to protect the population and we can't do that effectively unless we know how communities work and how government works," said Capt. Jeremy McNeil of the 710 Support Battalion.

"The trust building that goes in with treating humans like humans, developing these interpersonal relationships so that we can break that cycle of violence," said CSM Jimmy Carabello, 3rd BCT CSM.

And while that violence may not be there on day one, come the summer time it's expected to pick up.

"We do believe it'll be a tough fight. This is the spiritual homeland of the Taliban. Our soldiers, we are ready for that fight," Frank said.

From here on out, about a flight a week will leave for Afghanistan. Once everyone steps foot near Highway 1 just outside Kandahar City, those colors will be uncased. A new home for those new uniforms.

The focus of the next few weeks for 3rd Brigade leadership is to make sure not only the soldiers get to Afghanistan, but all the equipment and gear as well.