FORT BENNING, Ga., (Oct. 19, 2016) -- The 14th Combat Support Hospital Kosovo Force 22 Task Force Medical unit was formally sent off with a deployment ceremony Oct. 14 at Freedom Hall.

The KFOR 22 TF MED unit is deploying for nine months to Kosovo in support of the Kosovo Forces of Multinational Battle Group-East at Camp Bondsteel.

1st Lt. Marjorie Lutz, 14th CSH explained that the mission is to provide health service support with curative care, preventive care, essential care and evacuation to NATO forces operating in the area.

Lutz explained that there is a lot of preparation that goes into a deployment.

"It is definitely a lot of work and planning," Lutz said. "It is crazy that it is all coming together after almost six months of planning. It is finally here and it feels surreal."

To prepare for the mission, the deploying team conducted some team building exercises to ensure they were ready for deployment.

"We went up to Atlanta and did some team building exercises together which really solidified our group," Lutz said. "I am just beyond impressed with the caliber of Soldiers that we are working with. We really mesh."

"They are a great group. They have a lot of perseverance and are really motivated. They will do anything for each other so I am really excited to see what the deployment will be like," Lutz added.

"They go as part of a NATO peacekeeping mission established 17 years ago," said Col. Cory Costello, the 14th CSH commander.

"Now our group of Soldiers will add to those 17 years of peace and spread hope and compassion."

Costello added that the KFOR 22 TF MED, 14th CSH, carry the pride and legacy of Fort Benning with them.