The Second Battalion the Rifles is on the move. After almost seven years based at Weeton, the 600-strong regiment is off to its new posting in Ballykinler in Northern Ireland, to be replaced by the Second Yorkshire Battalion.
And with them go their wives and children, many who have been born here and for whom this has been the only home they have ever known.
It is an emotional time for children at the Fylde's only army school.
Almost every day the friendship ring is brought out at Weeton Primary to send yet another child on their way as the regiment leaves, a few families at a time.
The circle of miniature figures holding hands around a candle has been used as a focus for pupils to welcome and bid farewell to their friends.
Everyone tries not to cry, they still have the rest of the school day to finish after this, but as the good wishes of the children ring out around the illuminated candle, a few eyes moisten.
But this is the way it is for a school where nobody knows what tomorrow brings.
Already this year they have dealt with the deployment of 2 Rifles to Iraq.
The ring of friendship came out then too, wishing dads a safe journey and willing them to return home safe and well.
And when they, did the children created a human candle to signify the joy felt by each and everyone to have everyone back.
Now it's all goodbyes again.
Of the original 100 or so pupils only 30 will be returning in September.
Many will start at Ballykinler's on- site primary school next year but not all.
Some are going as far a field as Australia, or merely Bolton, Chepstowe or Scotland as their parents leave the forces or are transferred to other army bases.
Whatever their destination, it is all the same for headteacher Chris Horrocks.
He said: "It is very hard for any teacher to say goodbye to children they have known for seven years. It is particularly difficult for us because there are so many leaving.
"I've been through this five times now and it doesn't get any easier, but I think the friendship ring ceremony has been helpful to the children. It has been very moving."
Not only do Mr Horrocks and his team of staff have the emotions of themselves and the children to contend with, but then there's the paper work.
Each child is being sent off to their new school with a comprehensive file containing their yearly reports, exam tests and an introduction to their next teacher.
"It's difficult because we don't know where they are going. We hope their new school will be as nice as ours but you never know. You just hope those who have flourished continue to do so but inevitably their education will suffer, at least in the short term, due to the disruption."
And once the outgoing pupils have been looked after, thoughts turn to the new school which will emerge as 60 new students arrive to mix with those whose families have settled in the area and the local non-forces children.
Mr Horrocks said: "We never know who we are going to have coming in, we have to be pretty versatile. There could be a last minute posting or families could decide not to move with the regiment."
That has its own impact on the head's ability to plan class sizes, and staff cover, for the coming year.
"We've been told to expect a couple of youngsters who will need extra support and for whom we would have to employ another member of staff.
"But we can't hire anyone until we know for certain the children are coming and there will be a job for them.
"The first few weeks are certainly going to be interesting as everything falls into place."
Seventeen children from Offa's Mead Primary in Chepstowe have already made the journey and started classes at Weeton before they broke up for the summer.
Another 40 are due to start in September.
Where most schools have one class of new starters to contend with, Mr Horrocks and his staff have the task of integrating 60 pupils into seven different year groups.
And unlike conventional schools, the children won't have had visits from their new teachers or been to see their new school before the very first day they step through the door.
Simple things like buying uniforms have to be considered, and the school will open in the holiday to help parents out.
The first week will be a huge "get to know you" for everyone, with the children only coming in for morning sessions and teachers conducting home visits in the afternoon to meet the families.
"We learned a lot this year with the regiment going to Iraq, that will stand us in good stead for helping the new children when 3 Yorks go to Afghanistan.
"But the 2 Rifles children knew us, they were families we already had a relationship with. They trusted us and would come and talk about what they were going through.
"We are going to have to work very hard to establish ourselves with the new families very quickly so we can offer them the type of help and support they need," said Mr Horrocks.
"It will take a lot of time and hard work but I think we are all looking forward to getting to know a new group of people and bringing them into what we believe is a nice, caring, safe school environment which the children will enjoy and benefit from."