Soldiers from Clyde prepare to deploy to Afghanistan

CLYDE, N.C. — Soldiers from the mountains said goodbye to loved ones on Saturday as they prepare to deploy to Afghanistan.

Patriot Guard Riders escorted the 2-11th military police unit of the North Carolina National Guard from Clyde, North Carolina, to the Asheville Airport.

The soldiers will train in Texas before leaving for Afghanistan.

The Patriot Guard Riders said the group deserved an honorable farewell.

[if gte mso 9]> Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0in; mso-para-margin-right:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0in; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}

The unit will conduct security operations at a military base in Afghanistan. Their deployment is expected to last one year.

WSOC