AUSTIN, Texas (KXAN) -- The Team Taylor-Hutto Adopt A Unit program will kick off this weekend with a fly-in by a Longbow Apache helicopter on Saturday, April 26 to each city. Two pilots from the 1-4 Attack Reconnaissance Battalion will fly in and display the helicopter for each community to see.

The public is invited to attend the Taylor kickoff event of the Adopt A Unit program from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. while the helicopter is here. It will be on display at the T. H. Johnson Elementary School playground located on 3100 Duck Lane off T. H. Johnson Drive. There is ample parking. This is an opportunity for everyone to experience up close and personal this unique Attack Recon helicopter that is flown by the Dragon Battalion in serving our country. Material on how to participate will be provided along with refreshments generously donated by Taylor Auto Credit.

The Team's adopted unit, consisting of nearly 400 soldiers, will be deploying to Iraq in June of this year. With 24 Longbow Apache helicopters, the Dragon Battalion's primary mission is to support the ground forces wherever they are deployed through reconnaissance and engaging specific targets. An advanced helicopter with two pilots, the Longbow Apache has navigation, targeting and acquisition systems that provide a unique capability for every mission. Both by day and night, the Longbow Apaches provide 24-hour quick response airborne security to ground forces.

There are number of ways the community can help support these troops. Collection boxes will be on hand for donations and there will be an opportunity to visit with some of the troops themselves. The Adopt A Unit program provides moral support and assistance to the families of the deployed troops as well as the troops themselves. Individuals, civic organizations, churches, social organizations, etc. throughout the community are invited to help support this effort throughout the 15 months of the unit's deployment.

Activities being planned by the Team Taylor-Hutto Adopt a Unit Committee include a picnic for our unit in May before they deploy, a donation drive of specific items our soldiers have requested, care packages, letters and birthday cards to our troops, deployment/welcome home events, supportive calls to family members and sponsoring social gatherings. There will be many opportunities for all to participate in the program.

Other Williamson County cities that are adopting units include Georgetown, Leander, Liberty Hill, Cedar Park and Round Rock. The headquarters of the Combat Aviation Brigade has been adopted by the Williamson County Commissioners Court.

Special thanks to KXAN News Austin