FAIRFIELD (AP) – Friends and family members gathered in Fairfield on Saturday for a send-off for a Maine-based Army Reserve unit that’s headed for a second tour in Iraq.

The 100 members of the 619th Transportation Co., based in Auburn and Dexter, will conduct route clearance and provide security for coalition forces.

Adjutant General Bill Libby said the soldiers have the easy job while the families left behind have the difficult job, WCSH-TV reported.

The unit was first deployed to Iraq in 2004.

Next Saturday, June 27, is the official send off. The company will have a police escort from Dexter to Auburn for a brief farewell ceremony. It travels to Fort Dix, N.J., for final training before heading to Iraq.

—

Information from: WCSH-TV, http://www.wcsh6.com

AP-ES-06-20-09 1708EDT