About 200 local soldiers will spend the next few months training and preparing for a deployment to Afghanistan.

The 1092 Engineer Battalion based in Parkersburg and Point Pleasant will be deployed this spring.

Their mission is much like their 2003 deployment to Iraq, and that's to help build roads and other infrastructure.

Soldiers say it's not only important to be physically ready, but for them and their families to also be emotionally prepared.

"If you're any kind of parent whatsoever, it's tough to leave your kids. Man, woman or whatever; it's just tough to leave your children," Major Fred Hill said.

"A lot of times if we talk about it too much, things can kind of get emotional. Sometimes we just try to stay busy," Lieutenant Colonel Paul Stephens said.

The troop's deployment is expected to last one year.