KABUL, Afghanistan –
1st Lt. Yvonne Nollmann
Home Unit: 633d Logistics Readiness Squadron
Location: Camp Eggers, Kabul, Afghanistan
What do you do? I'm the Afghanistan National Police Equipment Fielding Manager. I have a three-man team and we ensure the Afghan police units are equipped with weapons and vehicles to do their mission while keeping strict accountability.
What will you remember about your deployment 20 years from now? The relationships I've made with the Afghans and assisting them to run processes on their own.
What's the most useful item you packed? Shower caddy - thanks Margie!
When did you realize you "weren't in Kansas anymore;" aka your "Dorothy" moment? On my Up-Armored ride from the airport to base.
What has been the highlight of your tour? Issuing HMMWVs to the Border Police in which ultimately saved the lives of eight Afghans during a convoy.
What's the best part of the deployment? Working with all services and different countries.
The worst part? Not being able to run outside as much as I'd like. The air quality is awful here.
What do you do during down time? Hitting the gym, checking e-mail and video chatting with family back home.
What is the first thing you will do when you return? Hug my husband
What is the first thing you will eat when you return? Whatever my husband cooks -- he's the chef in the family.
What insight experience will you take away from your time over there? We take technology for granted. Computers and communication throughout the country is minimal.
What do you miss the most? My husband, Eric and my dog, Cocoa.
How is your job that you are doing now different from the job back stateside? It's totally different. I'm a force support officer and was the section commander in LRS. Here, I'm doing more of a logistics role.
Have you tried the local cuisine? Yes, the bread is pretty good.
What do you think about what you hear on the news from what is going on stateside? I don't pay too much attention to it.
Do you have plans for any extra money that you might be making from this deployment? Possibly a cruise, otherwise saving it.
About when are you to return? January 2011.