BUFFALO--Capt. Jeffery Miles, commander of the New York Army National Guard's 827th Engineer Co. shares a moment with his daughter Oliva and wife Heather, during a mobilization ceremony for the Soldiers heading to Afghanistan with the company on Thursday, Feb. 18 at the Conneticut Street Armory here.
Eighty Soldiers from the Buffalo-based 152nd Engineer Support Company are mobilizing to deploy with the 827th, based in Horseheads.

About 300 people turned out for the event.

This will be the second overseas deployment for about 25 percent of the unit. The unit is comprised of various tradesmen, college students, public and private employees from the region. The unit's primary mission for Operation Enduring Freedom will be to build roads in the rugged and undeveloped regions of Eastern Afghanistan.

Miles praised his soldiers hard work in preparing the mission as well as their performance during past state emergencies in the region including the floods which struck Western New York last August.

• (Read the Press Release of This Event)