CAMP MURRAY, Wash. -- A National Guard unit from Yakima will soon head to Iraq, military officials announced Monday.

About 25 members of the 144th Liaison Team are expected to spend most of their 12 months of active duty supporting the headquarters element of Multi-National Force-Iraq, the in-country command overseeing the war in Iraq. Members will also provide security for high-level officials, according to a news release.

Before they leave, they will train at Fort Lewis.

The 144th's members are from around the state. The unit is based at the Yakima Readiness Center.

The National Guard has scheduled a farewell ceremony for 2 p.m. Friday at the readiness center, 2501 Airport Drive.

The 144th served in Kabul, Afghanistan, after being
called to federal service in December 2004, returning in April 2006.

During that deployment, the unit coordinated activities between U.S. coalition forces in Afghanistan and the NATO-sponsored security forces.