MARINE CORPS AIR GROUND COMBAT CENTER TWENTYNINE PALMS, Calif. -- Family and friends gathered to bid farewell to the Marines and sailors of Company L, Headquarters and Services Company and attachments of 3rd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, who left on their seventh consecutive combat deployment April 6, 2011.

“We are really motivated to get into the fight,” said 1st Sgt. Gregory Harting, company 1st sergeant for Co. L. “The morale is very high in our company. We always tell them that they are the best trained Marines in the Corps.”

The battalion is headed to northern Helmand province, while their official destination is unknown to most of the unit, the Marines said they will be ready for anything during the next seven to eight months.

“We have been waiting to deploy forever,” said Lance Cpl. Christopher Chapman, a saw gunner with Co. L. “We have had really good, long work-up, and we are going with really good guys.”

The rest of the battalion, Company K and Weapons Company leave today.

For the ones the Marines and sailors are leaving behind, there are events and support groups the family members can lean on, said Ali Nelson, 3/4’s family readiness officer.

“There are events scheduled to get together,” Nelson said. “My advice to the families is to stay busy, and don’t be afraid to call me if you need anything.”

For any information regarding 3/4 contact Nelson at 830-8031.