Several Wareham citizens serving in the Army National Guard are preparing to deploy to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Soldiers in the 3rd Battalion, 126th Aviation Regiment of the Massachusetts National Guard were honored in a May 12 departure ceremony at Camp Edwards in Bourne. At least eight of the unit's 175 soldiers live in Wareham.

The soldiers departed this past weekend to spend roughly five weeks in Texas for pre-mobilization training before heading overseas. The unit will provide aviation support for missions, in addition to providing transportation for leadership personnel and troops around the battlefield.

"I can't wait to get it over and done with and come back home," said Chief Warrant Officer Joe DiPasquale of Wareham. He is leaving his wife, Nicole, who is a sergeant in the Army, and his children Joe Jr., 20, Anthony, 8, and Maggie, 6.

"I'm going to miss my family and friends," DiPasquale said. "It's always tough to leave everyone behind." He last deployed in 2005, also to Iraq. He has served in the National Guard for 34 years.

Nicole said it's difficult to juggle all of her roles. "I'm a mother. I'm a soldier. I'm a wife," she said. Though it is not likely, she said she could be deployed while her husband is serving.

The family has a come up with a few methods of staying in touch. "We're going to do Skype [and] we're going to keep a journal for daddy," Nicole said. "We'll get through it."

The deployment is the first for Specialist Tom Harrigan of Wareham. "I'm pumped. I can't wait to get it out of the way," the 19-year-old said. "I want to be a pilot, so I'm on my way."

The ceremony was attended by Governor Deval Patrick and Massachusetts Senator Thomas McGee (D-Lynn).

Patrick thanked the soldiers for their service and the sacrifices they and their families make. "You have always been there and will always be there ... both abroad and at home," he said, adding: "There are six million of us here who've got your back."

The unit will be deployed for roughly one year.