(Savannah) getting ready to go on this challenge," says Command Sgt. Major Rick Stidley. Destination Afghanistan where some of the worst violence is happening. "As far as the families go they see the T.V. stories and the news. They worry about things like that, but as far as the soldiers are concerned they know they're ready for this," says Command Sgt. Major Stidley. More than 300 strong The 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade faces challenging days ahead. "As far as the terrain goes.. you know its hard to simulate 13, 12, 13, 14 thousand feet here in south Georgia. So we've done a lot of training down in Texas. We sent a lot of people to Colorado. It's certainly going to be different." 40 % of these soldiers are on their 3rd tour ... 20% more than 3 tours. Then there are a lot of first timers like this newbie. "It means a lot. My dad served like everybody in my family. Somebody in our generation served in the military. So I wanted to follow it and serve after my father," says PFC Elisabeth-Grace Lott . With her rosary close...Elisabeth-Grace leaves with a painful heart. "My mom has breast cancer, my dad had prostate cancer." A soldier eager to serve but, understandably, with mixed emotions could only say goodbye by phone. "She didn't really want me to come home because she knew I would be concerned, but I have her in my prayers. She's got me in hers. We're going to take it one day at a time." One day at a time... the countdown begins for all of the brave men and women to return home. Officials at Hunter say The 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade is the most deployed Army unit. It will provide air support in Afghanistan for ground troops.
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