PITTSBURGH — The families of more than 200 Pennsylvania Army National Guard members gathered today as the soldiers left two Western Pennsylvania armories for training and an eventual tour in Afghanistan.

The soldiers who departed from armories in Connellsville and Pittsburgh this morning are part of the Guard's 1st Battalion, 110th Infantry. They will train for five weeks at Camp Atterbury, Ind., before leaving for Afghanistan.

Once deployed, the soldiers will provide security for provincial reconstruction teams.

In Pittsburgh, Major Gen. Randall Marchi had the soldiers break ranks and gather with their families in a circle around him as he wished them well.

By The Associated Press