AL UDEID AIR BASE, Qatar –
Staff Sgt. Tynesha Branch
Home Unit: 1st Medical Group
Location: Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar
What do you do? I'm a Medical Logistics Craftsman deployed with a team of five. We all pack and ship blood products to several places in the area of responsibility for wounded warriors.
What's a day in the life like ... while in Al Udeid? Well, it's stressful at times, but life in the 'Deid is better than life in other places right now. There is plenty of entertainment and activities to keep morale up. I try to get out and have some fun on my day off.
What will you remember about your deployment 20 years from now? I will never forget how hot it was.
What's the most useful item you packed? My sunglasses and my boxcutters
When did you realize you "weren't in Kansas anymore;" aka your "Dorothy" moment? The moment I stepped off the plane
What has been the highlight of your tour? The highlight of my tour was getting to see my husband for half of my six-month rotation. He was also deployed here for four months.
What's the best part of the deployment? The best part is my day off.
The worst part? Working 12 hour shifts, six days a week
What do you do during down time? I hang out with my husband most of the time. I'm also in school trying to finish up some classes to get my Community College of the Air Force degree.
What is the first thing you will do when you return? I'm going to take a long, warm bath
What is the first thing you will eat when you return? Chick-Fil-A waffle fries
What insight/experience will you take away from your time over there? All good experiences! The job I do is very rewarding; knowing that the blood we send saves lives makes me proud. It's easy to take things for granted while you're in your comfort zone, but when you're put in a totally different environment, you treasure the things you were able to do before.
What do you miss the most? I miss having a toilet in the same building I'm in. I hate walking across the street to use the bathroom, especially in the heat.
How is your job that you are doing now different from the job back stateside? Back at Langley, I work in Medical Logistics Acquisitions. I sat at a desk and ordered supplies most of the time. I do a lot more manual labor here. The best part is getting to drive the 10K AT forklift. I love it!
Have you tried the local cuisine? I've eaten at a restaurant off base. I had some chicken wings with sauce, and it was pretty good. (You can never go wrong with chicken.)
What do you think about what you hear on the news from what is going on stateside? I got tired of hearing about Michael Jackson. Some of the news right now isn't worth hearing; there are a lot of people who have lost their lives who haven't been on the news.
Do you have plans for any extra money that you might be making from this deployment? I'm currently paying off my credit cards and saving the rest. I'm also going on vacation with my husband when I get back.
About when are you to return? I will be back sometime in January.