• Troop deployment is extended in Iraq

• Mona seeks advice on how to protect potential growth areas from subdivisions
  
  
• Mona's impact fee and exaction schedule should be ready for adoption at the April 27th meeting
  
  
• Misunderstanding over a vote creates a little friction at council meeting
  
  
• Outraged employee asks Levan council why job was put up for bid
  
  
• Obits
  
  
• Classified Ads
  
  
• Home
  
  
• Back

Two weeks ago the Taekwondo students at Beehive Martial Arts were featured on KSL Channel 5 in a story about their teacher, Kevin Jerman, being deployed in Iraq with 1457th Engineering Battalion. The school is depending on support from its students, adult volunteers and expert instructors in keeping the school going. Mrs. Jerman has been grateful for everyone's help and support. Emotions were high as the date for the 1457th's scheduled return was near at hand. The unit was scheduled to return in time for Mother's Day.

Barely a week later, word came that the 450 soldiers with the 1457th (including 4 from Nephi), were not coming home as expected, but were being re-deployed to duties in Iraq. Along with Kevin Jerman, Shane Johnson, Stephen Saunders and Tyler Evans are also serving with the unit.

The 1457th Engineering Battalion was called up before the Iraq war began and left in February 2003 for Fort Lewis, Washington. They were there for a couple of months and then were shipped out to Iraq. They were recently moved to Kuwait to strip and prepare equipment for shipping back to the United States. The unit was only a few days away from the trip home when they were informed of the change of plans.

The 1457th are being extended as part of the 10,00-15,000 additional soldiers that were requested to help stabilize Iraq. Maj. Gen. Brian Tarbet, adjunct general of the Utah National Guard, confirmed that Army Lt. Gen. Sanchez had requested that several units currently stationed in the Middle East be extended.

This is the second time that the 1457th has been re-committed. The original six-month mission was extended to a full year late last summer.

U.S. military leaders in Iraq said that one of the unit's duties could be clearing main convoy routes. Their exact assignment location was not yet determined.

Angry family members held meetings in Spanish Fork, Tooele, Price, Vernal and other locations to discuss the situation with personnel from the Utah National Guard. Some family members were upset that they had learned of the re-deployment from the television before their soldiers had a opportunity to inform them personally.

The unit will have a 90-day mission in Iraq and will take another 30 days to prepare to come home.