MORENO VALLEY - A brigade of soldiers from the Southland will leave for Iraq today to work with State Department provincial reconstruction teams in the areas of economic, agricultural and community development, the U.S. Army reported.

The 358 CA is a Civil Affairs brigade that recruits professionals from the Los Angeles region who have skills in managing utilities, large companies, and governmental agencies, said U.S. Army Capt. Jack Gaines.

"These professionals travel to countries around the world to promote economic development, improve governmental processes, and assist local community development,'' Gaines said Advertisement

[ Chatton and Associates ] in a statement.

"The unit will divide the solders into teams to work with State Department Provisional Reconstruction Teams, and local Iraqis throughout the nation on agricultural development, economic development, and improving governmental practices,'' Gaines said.

One or more soldiers will deploy from the following communities: La Palma, Hermosa Beach, Montebello, Panorama City, Paramount, Redondo Beach, Long Beach, Cypress, Reseda, Santa Clarita, Thousand Oaks, Fallbrook, Murrieta, Quail Valley, San Clemente, Huntington Beach, Orange, Glendora, Diamond Bar, Pomona, Menifee, Moreno Valley, San Jacinto, Sun Valley, Riverside, Highland, Rialto, Yucaipa, Fontana and San Bernardino.