Thirty members of the Vermont Air National Guard engineering squadron are deploying to Afghanistan for six months.

A deployment ceremony is being held this week for nineteen New Hampshire Army National Guard members who are heading to Afghanistan.

The man leading Vermont National Guard troops into Afghanistan says they could face hazardous duty in the war-ravaged nation, which is experiencing an uptick in U.S. casualties.

As the Vermont National Guard prepares for a large deployment of soldiers to Afghanistan, staff psychologists and the family readiness program are working to ensure that both soldiers and family members are mentally prepared for war.

VPR's Jane Lindholm talks with Colonel Will Roy about his command and the details of the Vermont guard's latest deployment.