MOSES LAKE, WA. -- More than 1,000 Army National Guardsmen from Eastern Washington are on their way to Iraq for the second time.

Basil Van Pelt, KREM.com

The two units from Moses Lake and Ephrata gathered for a special send-off and concert Monday as they prepared for their year-long deployment.

"The bonds you make and gain in the brotherhood of the military. It's undescribable." said Corporal Jacob Floyd as he packed his bags.

"I've never seen anything like this," said Staff Sergeant Terrence Gully. "The community has been gracious to us and we appreciate everything they've done."

The troops will spend two weeks training in the U.S. before heading out to Iraq. They are scheduled to return next summer.