Oregon Public Broadcasting

A Lewis-McChord soldier who grew up in Eugene has been killed in Iraq. Army Specialist Erin McLyman was part of a support Battalion that worked with the 3rd Stryker Brigade's 2nd infantry division, out of Joint Base Lewis-McChord. Lyman was killed when her base in Balad, Iraq came under mortar fire Saturday.McLyman was working as a mechanic. Her unit supported a force that was sent to Diyala Province, to help with security, and training Iraqi troops. The commander of the brigade wrote recently that he believes the chances of Iraq slipping back into civil war are very remote.Lyman had attended Sheldon High in Eugene, but completed her education with the military. Her service career began in the Air Force. She entered the Army late in 2008. This was her first deployment.