It was an emotional day for several families of the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division. The first troops deployed Wednesday, and about 240 more soldiers left for Iraq Friday. The 4-1 CAV formed in El Paso in 2005, and soldiers have been waiting for deployment since.

"In my mind, I've always known he's leaving, but it doesn't hit you until it's actually happening," said Jackie Tilden, whose husband was deployed.

The unit was supposed to be deployed in December before the holidays, but it was moved forward. Half of the soldiers headed to Iraq have been deployed before.

The soldiers will spend a few weeks in Kuwait adjusting to the environment and doing combat drills, and then they will head to Iraq.

The mission is supposed to last one year. Deployments will continue through the first week of November. About 3,300 soldiers with the unit are deploying.