More than 300 soldiers with the Pennsylvania National Guard's 2nd Battalion, 112th Infantry Regiment will be deployed to the Horn of Africa for nine-months. 

The unit is based in Cambridge Springs, Pennsylvania and soldiers from all parts of the state are part of the unit. 

The soldiers were honored during a deployment ceremony on Sunday, December 17. 

The Cambridge Springs Unit will combine with the Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa supporting U.S. Africa Command. 

“This mission is important on multiple levels, all the way from strategic down through the tactical level,” said Lt. Col. Eric Ponzek, commander of the 2-112th IN. “Ultimately, we’re reinforcing the strategic importance of our presence in East Africa.”