COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO. -- Over 300 soldiers from Fort Carson's the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division were deployed Friday.

The soldiers are the latest of about 3,500, in the brigade who have been deployed to support Operation Enduring Freedom.

This is the last major deployment coming out of the brigade this year.

These soldiers are beginning a 12-month tour to Afghanistan.

For some this marks their fourth deployment. For others, it's their first.

FOX21 met with these soldiers just minutes before they loaded up, boarded a bus and bid the Mountain Post farewell for the next year.

"Just want to get it over with and get back," said SPC. Richard Hays.

"Excitement for sure," said Collection Manager Elia Gonzalez.

Ranging emotions depending on how many times the soldier has deployed.

"The first time, it's kind of like jumping into a pool and you don't know if you can swim or not, but by the time you learn to swim you are good," said SGT. Joshua Danison. "It doesn't really get easier you just know what you are doing."

"It's a lot of the younger kids that it's their first time deploying over that you see a lot of apprehension," said SGM. Brent Kannas.

Even for those with multiple deployments this time is different.

In the last few years, the focus has been on Iraq, but now these troops will be heading to Afghanistan to re-stabilize the region.

"Based on that, some of the training has been curtailed," Kannas said.

"Other people come from different units from across the US that helps out too because they're always bringing a little something with them," Hays said.

"This is what we train for," Gonzalez said.

"Being in the Army you have to be ready to do whatever they ask you to do," Danison said.

This is the same brigade that fell under scrutiny last year when several of its members were charged with murder on different occasions.

Some speculated emotional stress during deployments may have been a factor.

These soldiers tell me they have dealt extensively with being comfortable getting help prior to this deployment.