Posted: Wednesday, November 25, 2009 3:38 pm

Friends and family will say goodbye to 176 soldiers with the 1171st Transportation Co. as they depart for Texas Friday, Dec. 4.
In a phone conversation Monday, SSgt. David Winstead said the unit appreciated the support from the community for the soldiers and welcome any support they receive in the future.
Winstead said while the time line of events hasn’t been finalized for Friday, Dec. 4, they will depart from the 1171st Transportation Co. in Dresden to the Memphis International Airport.
From there, the unit will train at Fort Bliss, Texas before their departure to Kuwait in January.
Winstead said the unit was activated last year in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and was notified last  month of plans for the unit to deploy to the Middle East in January 2010.
This is the second deployment to the Middle East for the 1171st Transportation Co.
The Tennessee Army National Guard Unit, which is made up of soldiers from across the state, spent one year during 2004 and 2005 in the Middle East in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Winstead said their role in Kuwait will be to transport supplies such as water and ammunition while they are stationed overseas.
Utilizing telephones and computers, the soldiers will be allowed to keep in touch with friends and family members during their deployment.
Winstead said his unit will also be allowed to come home during the Christmas holiday before being sent to Kuwait.
Friends and family are encouraged to visit the transportation base located in Dresden Dec. 1 through Dec. 4 before they are deployed.
The 1171st Transportation Co. is a combination of the former Dresden and Tiptonville units.