Victory Base Complex, Iraq –
Master Sgt. Sam Warren
Home Unit: 633d Civil Engineer Squadron
What do you do? Superintendent of Air Force facilities engineer team and engineering assistant
What's a day in the life like... while in Baghdad? Normal operations day-to-day are to come into the office and support five engineers in completing their projects. When a call comes in that a provincial reconstruction team or battle space owner needs help with a civil capacity engineering requirement, I aid engineers in their assessments for these requirements.
What will you remember about your deployment 20 years from now? I'll always remember the kids scurrying around us as we looked over plumbing and electrical issues at schools in the Babil province.
What's the most useful item you packed? Lately it has been my Air Force physical training jacket since the temperatures have been dropping in the mid 30s
When did you realize you "weren't in Kansas anymore;" aka your "Dorothy" moment? The first time I went on a convoy and looked out the window of the mine resistant ambush protected vehicle and saw the destruction that has gone on within the Iraqi cities
What has been the highlight of your tour? Going outside the wire to support engineering missions which will help the people of Iraq rebuild their country
What's the best part of the deployment? So far it has been handing out a box of school supplies my relatives sent me to the children at one of the schools in Iraq
The worst part? The rain...it creates mud you have to walk through when going anywhere.
What new survival skill have you learned? Making sure my improved outer tactical vest is buttoned up properly and snugly. I've also mastered putting on seatbelts for the various MRAPs I've ridden during this tour.
What do you do during down time? I complete school work and watch movies and sports on television.
What is the first thing you will do when you return? Hug my wife and call the family to tell them I'm home
What is the first thing you will eat when you return? Not sure, but a good barbeque sandwich sounds good
What insight experience will you take away from your time over there? Working with the different engineers from various countries to include Iraq and how they do construction around the area of responsibility. I have also gained a new found respect for the Army Guard members we've worked with. They have provided transportation to the different forward operating bases and supported our engineering requirements. These guys have been awesome. Working with the Iraqi engineers that left their homeland years ago and are now coming back to support rebuilding their homeland has also been a memorable experience.
What do you miss the most? Being able to reach out to talk to my children on the phone any time or day
How is your job that you doing now different from the job back stateside? There really isn't a difference other than over here because it is a war environment
Have you tried local cuisine? Yes, several times and though a bit different it is all tasty.
What do you think about what you hear on the news from what is going on stateside? I try not to think about it and stay focused on what I am doing here.
Do you have plans for any extra money that you might be making from this deployment? Saving it all for retirement, maybe
About when are you to return? May 2010