Families have waved off their loved ones as the biggest ever deployment of troops from Dalton Barracks got under way this week.

Soldiers flew out of RAF Brize Norton on their way to Afghanistan as part of an advance guard of servicemen and women.

More than 1,000 soldiers will be leaving over the next three months for tours of duty in Afghanistan and Iraq.

More than 500 troops from 4 Logistic Support Regiment (LSR) are being sent to Afghanistan over the next two weeks. A further 500 soldiers from 3 LSR will fly out to Iraq in May.

Servicemen and women from Dalton Barracks have already done six-month tours of duty in both countries.

But this will be the first time both regiments have been posted together since the Army took over the station from the RAF in 1993.

Major Gerry Ewart-Brookes, officer commanding 60 squadron 4 LSR, said: "It's the first deployment to Afghanistan for many of our younger soldiers and naturally they're a little nervous.

"They know they're going into parts of a hostile environment. But they are well trained and morale is high."

In Afghanistan 4 LSR will be providing vital support to 12 Mechanised Brigade. More than 160 will be stationed in Kandahar and the rest in Helmand Province.

They will be providing technical support, spares, ammunition, food and water, as well as convoy support.

During the last three months the soldiers have been taking part in training that culminated with a major exercise on Salisbury Plain.

The Abingdon-based soldiers have also been learning about the history and culture of Afghanistan.

Gareth Hooper, 19, has been a soldier for three years and is embarking on his first tour of Afghanistan. He said: "My mates and I are excited about going but naturally we're also nervous. We have seen on the news what is going on out there and what we can expect.

"It's not going to be easy, we know that, but we have been training hard and know what is expected of us.

"Morale is high and I'm sure we will do a good job in very difficult circumstances. Naturally, we have our concerns about what we will be doing in hostile surroundings and our worries are shared by families and friends."

In the last nine months more than 40 British soldiers have lost their lives and this week the bodies of four soldiers were flown home.

Major Ewart-Brookes said: "We know we are going into a volatile country where there are risks. But we are trained and mentally prepared.

"We're not going there on a poppy field eradication exercise, but to help support the Afghan government and provide security against insurgents so the country can survive."

Abingdon mayor Peter Green said: "Our thoughts and prayers go with the soldiers as they prepare for duty in two inhospitable regions."