Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
Jed Boal ReportingUtah soldiers deployed in Iraq are doing everything they were trained to do, and more. The 872nd Maintenance Company from Ogden is back in Iraq for a second time.
These US Army Reservists last saw their families in May. Their mission in Northern Iraq leaves them little time to dwell on that.
Maj. Harold Clements, 872nd Maintenance Co.: "The big thing here is to keep busy. Time passes fast when you're working long hours and doing something."
The 872nd Maintenance Company plays a vital support role for other troops in the region. They keep trucks and other vehicles on the road, get mail out to soldiers eager for news from home, and they tackle administrative tasks and computer networking, often using their civilian skills rather than performing the jobs the Army trained them to do.
1st Sgt. Darren Kirshman, 872nd Maintenance Co.: "Some of them were studying computer networking in college, and that's what they're doing now. Their MOs might be a mechanic, but instead of working on vehicles , they're working on computers."
They take the greatest risks delivering supplies to coalition forces throughout Northern Iraq. Roadside bombs are a constant concern.
1st Sgt. Darren Kirshman, 872nd Maintenance Co.: "We've logged a lot of miles out on the highways and there's been no injuries."
Maj. Harold Clements, 872nd Maintenance Co.: "Here to get the job done, and do what it takes to accomplish the mission."
Company leaders say morale remains high.
1st Sgt. Darren Kirshman, 872nd Maintenance Co.: "The midway slump, we're over it."
And the soldiers say the Iraqis they meet are glad for their help.
1st Sgt. Darren Kirshman, 872nd Maintenance Co.: "They tell us their quality of life is better than when Saddam was in power."
Staff Sgt. Scott Jensen, 872nd Maintenance Co.: "There's a lot of different reasons why we're here, but we're here to help the people. We're here to help the Iraqi people be free."
As it stands right now, the unit is likely to return home in August.
