Al UDEID AIR BASE, QATAR –
Senior Airman Erin F. Bloodgood
Home Unit: 633d Medical Support Squadron Personnel and Administration Flight
What do you do? Escort third-country nationals; stay vigilant and proud.
What's a day in the life like ... while in Al Udeid? Escort TCNs for eight to 14 hours per day six days a week, eat, exercise, shower, study and try to keep in touch back home. Time flies but it's a great experience!
What will you remember about your deployment 20 years from now? My TCNs, the long days, the great people I met and the beautiful sunrises and sunsets.
When did you realize you "weren't in Kansas anymore;" aka your "Dorothy" moment? When I stepped off the plane and all the color was gone. I now appreciate green grass and flowers so much more. It felt like I stepped into an oven that had been preheating for a turkey dinner. "Much too hot, boss."
What's the most useful item you packed? Baby wipes.
What has been the highlight of your tour? Learning to appreciate the "little things."
What's the best part of the deployment? Seeing Qatar and the way the people live there.
The worst part? Being away from my family.
What new survival skill have you learned? To not be wasteful.
What do you do during down time? Go off base or catch up on sleep.
What is the first thing you will do when you return? Relax with my kids and husband on my couch.
What is the first thing you will eat when you return? A home cooked meal.
What do you miss the most? My boys and my bed.
Have you tried the local cuisine? Yes.
What do you think about when you hear on news from what is going on stateside? I have not watched TV in more than three months, but when I hear about it I realize how important the job I am performing here is.
Do you have plans for any extra money that you might be making from this deployment? Pay off any debts and save for family vacation.
About when are you to return? September 2010.