By Ray Hershel

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (abc40)-- A local Army Reserve unit based in Springfield is being deployed to Kuwait as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

A farewell ceremony was held Wednesday at the Arthur MacArthur Reserve Center for some 170 reservists from the 304th Transportation Company.

The commitment is for one year.

Captain Rodger Woodruff explains the mission, "President Obama has made a decision to withdraw troops out of Iraq, as a transportation company our primary mission is to pull the equipment."

For Specialist Anthony Corey this will be his first deployment, "It's an honor to serve, I'm nervous but ready to go, I'm confident in my higher-ups and my company."

Corey's family including his father Stephen Corey is proud of his son, " It's tough, it's sad to see him go but we're proud of him, proud that he served his country."

The reservists being deployed come from 14 states. Nearly 60 percent of the 304th have already served overseas.

The unit now heads to Fort Dix, New Jersey where they will train and prepare before heading to Kuwait probably sometime in January.