MANCHESTER, N.H. — More than 300 New Hampshire Army National Guard soldiers are heading to the Middle East.

The members of the 3rd Battalion, 197th Field Artillery Regiment are taking part in a deployment ceremony Sunday at the Southern New Hampshire University Field House in Manchester at 2 p.m.

The soldiers will be part of Operation Spartan Shield, an ongoing U.S. Army training mission. The battalion will conduct artillery-focused training engagements with allied nations.

It’s the first time a National Guard field artillery battalion has been activated to support the mission. The battalion will report to Fort Bliss, Texas, in February for training before departing overseas.