FOB SPEICHER, Iraq - The Fort Campbell-based 584th Maintenance Company is in the process of taking over a risky mission from the 557th Maintenance Company from Fort Irwin, Calif.

On top of the 557th's ordinary duties of providing direct support to the Speicher-based 42nd Infantry Division, the unit was tasked to perform an additional combat vehicle-recovery mission. The mission entailed retrieving battle or accident-damaged vehicles from the roads of Iraq.

"Now is the time for the new guys to take what we started and put their spin on it," said Chief Warrant Officer 2 David Hooker, 557th recovery operations officer in charge.

The "new guys" are the Soldiers of the 584th.

"We had our baptism by fire the other day," said Spc. Thomas Rankin, a 584th wrecker driver/operator from Hampton, Va.

On his first mission, Rankin and his fellow Soldiers faced the challenge of recovering a heavy equipment truck transporter, or HETT.

"It was my first time recovering that [type of] vehicle," Rankin said.

"We had to figure out how to hook up with the frame [of the HETT] bent," said 2nd Lt. Sam Karr, 584th recovery team OIC, of Manhattan, Kan.

The 584th knew about the recovery mission before deploying, and were able to complete some training for it. However, the most helpful advice came from the 557th, Karr said.

"They've been doing the mission for a year, and they know the ins and outs of it," he said.

The most important piece of advice Hooker had for the Soldiers was to never get comfortable and never let their guard down. Flexibility is important, as the methods of operating on the roads are subject to change.

"I'm not an expert," Hooker said. "What I know, I learned from my Soldiers."

Specialist Edward Carmean, recovery team M240B gunner, from Snow Hill, Md., was still waiting for his chance to go on a mission. Although the gunners had already qualified before arriving at Speicher, they were required to qualify again once they arrived.

"It's a safety measure to make sure we're up to speed," Carmean said.

The 557th taught the newcomers how to spot improvised explosive devices and other skills for safe completion of combat logistics missions, said Spc. Lucinda Warner, 584th recovery team driver, of Three Rivers, Mich.

Warner, who serves with Team Merlin, served as a truck driver before switching her trade and training as a mechanic. Rankin and Warner are only two of several Soldiers on the teams who have skills both as drivers and mechanics.

"I have faith in the team that I'm with," said Warner, who is ready to get out on the roads.

As the 584th readied for its new mission and surroundings, the 557th waited to catch a plane back to California. The unit's leaders spoke of their Soldiers with pride in their accomplishments.

"These guys stepped up and did [the mission] all year long," Ramey said. "It was a great experience for me, and I'm really proud of them."