In the shadows

U.S. Army South
Story by Staff Sgt. Ian Shay

Date: 05.24.2013
Posted: 05.24.2013 11:14
News ID: 107543
In the shadows

SONSONATE, El Salvador – Here during Beyond the Horizon – El Salvador, Joint Task Force Jaguar soldiers are building schools and fixing teeth to help improve the lives of the Salvadoran people. So while the engineers and dentists might grab all the headlines, soldiers from the 107th Maintenance Company, Sparta, Wis., are working behind the scenes to make sure everything runs smoothly.

“Were kind of like the people in the shadows. We make sure everything is operational and if anybody needs something were there to assist,” said Sgt. 1st Class Kathryn Heller, non-commissioned officer in charge, 107th Maintenance Company, Sparta, Wis.

With locations spread out far and wide across El Salvador and with distances of up to two hours away, it is imperative for soldiers that their equipment and tools have access to a functional power source. Soldiers from the 107th are stationed at each site to provide emergency repair on equipment and generator systems.

“I am sort of in high demand, there are generators everywhere,” said Sgt. Jamie Forrest, generator mechanic, 107th Maintenance Company, Sparta, Wis. “Generators run the light sets, water purification systems, shower points and just about anything electrical.

Soldiers from the 107th Maintenance Company provide that crucial assistance at each work site and Heller says that even though her unit isn’t building schools or fixing teeth that is her soldiers that are making it all possible.