Family and friends gathered at Marine Corps Base Hawaii this morning to bid aloha to the 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment.

Without fanfare, the Marines said their goodbyes then boarded buses for Hickam Air Force Base.

About 1,000 Marines and sailors are being deployed to Afghanistan for a seven-month tour.

They are being sent to Helmand province to replace the 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, which is scheduled to return to Kaneohe next month.

A Marine Corps statement Wednesday said the 3-3 Marines will participate in stabilization, security and counter-terror efforts, counterinsurgency operations and training of Afghan national security forces.