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SALT LAKE CITY — More than 100 Utah troops were deploying to the Middle East Monday to help other countries fight the terrorist group ISIS.
Some 130 soldiers from the 96th sustainment brigade began the first leg of their journey at Fort Douglas. They will fly to Fort Hood later Monday morning, eventually arrive in the Middle East and stay there for one year.
The U.S. Army Reserve says the goal for the deployment is to help other countries in Operation Inherent Resolve. It's an effort to eliminate the terrorist from the Islamic State Group, which is currently waging military action in Iraq and Syria.
The Utah deployment will provide support in the form of logistics, maintenance, transportation, supply, and distribution.
Sgt. Kayla Benson says she is a little stressed, but is relying on her training.
"I love my job and I love what I do, and I'm ready to knock it out of the ballpark," she said.
"It's always hard to go away," she added, "whether it's for a week or a year. But I have a lot of support at home, and my family is really proud of what I am doing."