Kaydence Hoversten, 22-month-old daughter of Gunnery Sgt. Jared Hoversten, sits in front of buses shortly before her dad and other Regimental Combat Team 7, 7th Marines leave for their deployment to Afghanistan Oct. 9, 2012 at 7th Marine Regimental Headquarters.

RCT-7 is departing for Helmand province, Afghanistan, where they will be taking over as the senior ground combat element in the area.

U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. William J. Jackson