SALINA, Kan. (AP) -- A Kansas National Guard unit is preparing for its first deployment since Operation Desert Storm, heading to Southwest Asia for a base security mission.

A public departure ceremony will be held Feb. 12 at 10 a.m. in Salina for approximately 80 members of the 170th Maintenance Company. The soldiers will go first to Camp Shelby Joint Forces Training Center in Mississippi for more training specific to their assignment.

The exact location of the deployment has not been announced. The unit was originally scheduled to go to Kuwait for a security mission.

The 170th Maintenance Company is headquartered in Norton, with a subordinate unit based in Colby. The company is part of the Hays-based 287th Special Troop Battalion.