(WSBT) South Bend-based Company F is gearing up to head to Iraq. The National Guard unit is part of the 151st Light Anti-Tank Battalion. They will run convoys and provide perimeter security in Iraq.

Friday is the last full day Company F will spend with their families. Then Saturday they're having a send-off at the reserve center to say goodbye for 13 months.

There are 175 National Guardsmen in Company F. Loved ones say it's tough to prepare themselves with such short notice, and they're counting on each other for support.

"His family is close. They help out all the time and my family is close," said Ginger Wade. Her husband is going overseas for his second deployment. She told WSBT News her family is her main support system.

Ginger's husband, Ken Wade, is a patrolman with the Elkhart Police Department.

"My family is behind me 100 percent," he said. "They appreciate the things I do."

Ken said he appreciates everything everyone does to support the troops.

"That's one thing I do like is people who support the troops — whether or not they like the Global War on Terror, Afghanistan or the war in Iraq," he told WSBT News.

The Reserve Center is hosting a Family Day Saturday for Company F. A send off ceremony is also scheduled. The National Guard Unit was put on alert last October, then activated last month.

However, they just learned the specific timeframe of this deployment last week. They'll learn a lot more about this mission during their time at Fort Dix.