Some Army Reserve troops in Meridian are happy to be home for the holidays. But the unit will soon be leaving for active duty.

The 1181st Army Reserve Deployment Distribution Support Battalion leaves for a one-year tour in Kuwait next month.

A farewell ceremony was held Tuesday at the unit's headquarters.

"We're going to operate probably the main port in Kuwait, where all the equipment comes in to theatre," said unit commander, Lt. Col. Steve Rutner.
"We unload and load the ships and move it on to either Iraq or to send the soldiers home. You know, the nice part of the great job that we have is a lot of the times we get to send the folks home that are really excited to be done with their tours over there."

Mississippi's senior senator, Thad Cochran, also attended the service.

"We appreciate the fact that people are willing to serve, but we do need to bring this to a conclusion, a successful conclusion," said Cochran. "And I think with our leadership in the military and at the highest levels of our government, we're going to accomplish that goal."

The 1181st has previously served a one year-long tour of duty in Kuwait. There are currently 102 soldiers in the battalion.