AUGUSTA, Ga. (AP) — Nearly three dozen soldiers are leaving an Army base near Augusta for a nine-month deployment in the Middle East.

The Augusta Chronicle (http://bit.ly/TNNhh5 ) reports that members of the 63rd Expeditionary Signal Battalion will deport Fort Gordon before Christmas.

Lt. Col. Michael P. Martel told the soldiers during a ceremony to be safe. He thanked the families of the soldiers for supporting them during their training.