Utah has sent more soldiers to Iraq than any other state, and Sen. Orrin Hatch and Congressman Jim Matheson are working hard to procure more funding for the Utah National Guard.

The National Defense Authorization Bill came into effect in October, increasing spending for the war by $50 billion. The funds from the bill, passed by Congress in early May will be spent on supporting and maintaining the active, reserve and National Guard troops.

“The war is costing $5 billion a month,” said Alyson Heyrend, Rep. Jim Matheson’s press secretary. “Congressman Matheson’s priority it to make sure those troops have funding and support from Congress to stay safe, perform their mission and return home,” Heyrend said.

Utah’s congressmen are making sure the funds for the war going not only to the soldiers but also to their families.

Members of the National Guard receive a salary based on rank and years served.

Although the bill for the National Guard troops has authorized more money, Hatch wants more.

“This is a serious, costly undertaking,” said Hatch in an e-mailed response. “I’m committed to protecting Utah’s troops in Iraq, and I am continually pressing top defense officials to address the needs of Utah’s troops.”

Hatch said “considerable progress” has been made and he will continue to do his best to obtain funds for the National Guard.

For the last two and a half years, Utah has supplied the largest percentage of troops of any state in the nation.

“At one point in 2003 we were 80 percent deployed, which was the highest percentage in the nation,” said Maj. Hank McIntire, spokesman for the Utah National Guard. “I don’t think anyone has exceeded [Utah’s] total percentage of the guard mobilized at one time in support of Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom.”

The Utah National Guard has sent approximately 4,000 troops total to Iraq, McIntire said. There are currently 900 troops deployed to Iraq.

“They are doing what they can to see that we are equipped,” McIntire said.

The government helps family members of the Utah National Guard when their respective family member is deployed.

“There’s a very well organized family support effort that supports families while [the soldiers] are away,” McIntire said. “They provide funds necessary for emergencies. [Family support] assists them in the process to make sure they are taken care of.”

Meanwhile, the time period for America to pull out of the war is uncertain.

“We will leave when the job is done,” Hatch said. “We made a commitment to finish the job and we must do so.”

Setting an artificial removal date would not be wise, Hatch said.

“If our nation sets an artificial deadline for the removal of our forces, all that our adversaries need to do is husband their resources until that date and then emerge,” Hatch said.

The terrorists could possibly “destroy all the accomplishments to date,” Hatch said.

The money authorized will help support and maintain troops until the war is finished.



Copyright Brigham Young University 7 Nov 2005