IUKA - Overcast skies mirrored the emotions of family and friends at the Iuka National Guard Armory on Friday morning as they wished their troops Godspeed on their mission in Iraq.

Iuka's Troop C 1/98th Cavalry Regiment departed Friday for Camp Shelby, as did other parts of the the 155th Brigade Combat Team.

One of those on the bus was Staff Sgt. Arnold "Les" Jackson, who is leaving his wife, Tina, and their two daughters - 6-year-old Chloe and 4-year-old Laci - for his second deployment.

"Laci was just 2 weeks old when he was mobilized last time and Chloe was 22 months," Tina Jackson said. "I was induced so he could meet his daughter before he left."

As she did last time, Tina Jackson will count on strong support group among family and friends, as well as her in-laws, to make it through the deployment.

"We sent lots of packages and letters, and he called when he could," she said. "This time we have webcams and bought a second laptop, so we're hoping to use that this time."

Tishomingo Countians have been observing "red shirt Fridays" in support of the troops for several months, and will continue until the unit returns next year.

Whether the work in Iraq will be the same as before is always an unknown, Les Jackson said.

"I've heard that lots of the facilities are improved, but I don't know anything more than what I've heard on the news," Les Jackson said. "We're cavalry scouts, and last time we did convoy escorts, patrols, whatever they needed."

At the farewell ceremony, Aldermen Buddy James, James "Kissum" Grisham and Martha Biggs distributed certificates to each soldier from the city of Iuka, and a representative of the Gideons gave them each a Bible.

Rep. Lester "Bubba" Carpenter and Sen. Eric Powell also offered words of encouragement.

"I want you to do three things," Powell said. "Pray for yourself and each other, use the training you've had to come home safely, and come home safely."

People in the community lined the streets on the soldiers' route out of town, waving flags and offering encouragement.

The bus carrying the troops, escorted by Iuka police and the Tishomingo County Sheriff's Department, went by schools in Iuka and Belmont for a student sendoff as they made their way to Fulton to meet up with the rest of their unit.

Contact Lena Mitchell at (662) 287-9822 or lena.mitchell@djournal.com.