History will be made in Orangeburg Thursday afternoon as the local 218th Brigade Company B/163rd Battalion deploys about 90 troops to war-torn Afghani-stan as part of Task Force Phoenix.

The deployment is the Orangeburg unit’s largest since World War II.

The S.C. National Guard is encouraging the public to offer its support by lining the sides the deployment route. The deployment will begin at 12:15 p.m. at the National Guard Armory on Stonewall Jackson Boulevard and the route continues along U.S. 21 Bypass to U.S. Highway 601 and on to Interstate 26.

Individuals are encouraged to wear patriotic colors and bring an American flag with them in a show of support. A limited supply of flags will be available at the front entrance of the armory.

“We want to send these guys off with a heroes’ farewell and make sure they know that they are in our thoughts and prayers and that Orangeburg is proud of them,” National Guard Recruiting and Retention NCO Sgt. First Class Chris Dyer said.

“They work here, live here and go to school here. Most of the guys in the unit have been here their whole career,” he said. “We need to show how much Orangeburg appreciates them.”

Businesses along the route are encouraged to place a yellow ribbon outside their establishments.

Prior to the deployment, an informal ceremony will be held at the National Guard Armory with family, friends and community leaders. The armory ceremony will not be open to the public.

The event is being sponsored by the Family Readiness Group, a volunteer-based network overseen by the state National Guard.

The entire tour of duty is expected to last 18 months, which includes the preliminary training before arrival in Afghanistan and debriefing.

Soldiers will depart for two months of training to Camp Shelby, Miss. before heading to Afghanistan in April for a yearlong deployment to a base outside of Kabul.

Task Force Phoenix is a five-year multinational effort designed to keep the battered nation on the road to recovery following the U.S.-led ouster of the Taliban after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

The coalition force is tasked with conducting the training of the Afghan National Army and the Afghan National Police. It reports through the NATO chain of command, which formally took full responsibility for Afghanistan in October 2006.

The Orangeburg unit, along with Walterboro, Darlington/ Florence and Hampton of the 163rd Battalion, joined about 1,800 men and women of the 218th for a ceremonial send-off at Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia earlier this month.

The deployment is considered the largest in the history of the South Carolina National Guard.

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