RAPID CITY,S.D. (AP) — A South Dakota National Guard unit is getting ready for duty in Afghanistan.

A deployment ceremony is scheduled Friday at Camp Rapid at Rapid City for the 11 soldiers with the 129th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment.

The Guard says they will serve nine months in Afghanistan after undergoing several weeks of final training at Fort Dix in New Jersey.

The unit’s mission involves public affairs, media coverage and media escorting.