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HILL AIR FORCE BASE -- Soldiers from all over the United States came together at Hill Air Force Base Sunday morning to form the new 971st Medical Company.
The company will spend a year in Afghanistan, providing medical supplies to units in the field. Soldiers preparing to deploy say it will be difficult, but they're up to the task.
"I'm actually thinking about the fact that we're going over and our families are going to be left behind," said Sgt. James Carroll with the 971st Medical Company. "But that's fine. We're going to take care of the mission."
I'm actually thinking about the fact that we're going over and our families are going to be left behind. But that's fine. We're going to take care of the mission.
–Sgt. James Carroll
The families they leave behind are already thinking of ways to help each other get through.
"We've got in place a phone tree where we'll have volunteers calling the families, making sure they're OK, answering questions, helping with concerns," said Christina Bowden, a wife and family readiness leader.
The phone tree is essential, they say, because so many of the unit's families live out of state. Those that live in Utah plan to get together often so their kids can play and spouses can give each other support.
The unit leaves Ogden on Wednesday for training and will then fly overseas.
