POPE AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. — In the event of war and injuries in the Persian Gulf, Fort Bragg soldiers will be in place to treat the wounded.

With final hugs and tears, about 100 soldiers from the 28th Combat Support Hospital said goodbye to their families before being deployed to the region Tuesday morning.

Sgt. 1st Class Douglas Bery said it is hard to reassure his family that everything will be fine during his deployment.

"I have three children, it's real hard. I just got back from Bosnia a year ago. It's a different story this time I think," he said.

The medical unit includes doctors, nurses and medics -- many of whom are women.

Once on the ground in the central command region, the soldiers will set up a state-of-the-art hospital.

Within 48 hours, the chemically and biologically protected facility will be able to treat up to 400 patients for any chemical or battlefield injury.

"A shelter that has an outside skin protection that will allow us to take care of patients we have while we are able to decontaminate the outside and keep ourselves protected," said Brig. Gen. William Fox, commander of the 44th Medical Command.

These soldiers are also trained to treat prisoners of war, if it comes to that.