KANDAHAR AIR BASE, Afghanistan –
Capt. Amanda LeBlanc
Home Unit: Air Combat Command Protocol
What do you do? I oversee the U.S. Air Force Protocol Office. I facilitate distinguished visitor itineraries by providing logistical support to their visits. I also assist RC-S and JVB with manpower and transportation for their DV visits.
What's a day in the life like? It is very busy. We have at least one DV visit a day. We take care of all last-minute checklist items, meet and greet and execute the remainder of the itinerary. After we complete the visit and see the DV off, we are back to the office to prepare for the next upcoming visit.
What will you remember about your deployment 20 years from now? There are so many things ... I have to pick one? I guess it would have to be what we did (as an Air Force) in Afghanistan will be a turning point in Operation Enduring Freedom. That I got to be here when all the "action" was taking place. That I got to see firsthand how the USAF is helping to train the Afghan National Army Air Corps and actually have a part in helping Afghanistan learn to stand on its own feet. The second was that I was honored that I was able to pin on captain while deployed to Kandahar.
What's the most useful item you packed? My headstrap light - this allows me to use both my hands and not have to carry around a flashlight. Plus, it is very dangerous to walk around here at night, so having that extra light makes me feel safe from traffic.
When did you realize you "weren't in Kansas anymore;" aka your "Dorothy" moment? The first time we got hit with a rocket. I couldn't believe that it actually happened, and I think I was a little shell shocked. I just stood there for about five seconds before I remembered to drop down and cover my head. Then I remember lying there thinking that I had five months of this to go!
What has been the highlight of your tour? Getting to travel to several forward operating bases via HH-60 helicopters. In my job, I never thought I'd get to see much of Afghanistan (other than my base) but I have been very fortunate to travel to five areas of Afghanistan and see the different areas and terrain.
What's the best part of the deployment? Being stationed at a NATO base and getting to interact with the other coalition forces. I have been able to learn so much about other nations' capabilities and military culture.
The worst part? My job revolves around reliable air transportation. Unfortunately, due to mission-related incidents, weather, maintenance, flights coming in and out of KAF can be unpredictable. This means we have to have a backup plan and think fast and act even faster.
What new survival skill have you learned? The three-minute shower. Since most attacks happen at night, the last thing you want is to be caught in the shower when the siren goes off.
What do you do during down time? I volunteer to help out at the Bazaar School. During the week, we collect hygiene products and school supplies then on Fridays we put together bags. Each Saturday the local kids attend the school on base, and there, we play games with them before school, help teach during school hours, do a structured activity toward the end and then hand out goodie bags that we have collected and made throughout the week.
What is the first thing you will do when you return? Take a LONG, HOT shower and sleep!
What is the first thing you will eat when you return? TACO BELL: two crunchy tacos, one soft taco, a tostada, a bean burrito with no onions and a pintos and cheese. YUM!
What insight experience will you take away from your time over there? I definitely have a better insight on why we do the things we do. Actually seeing our forces working with our coalition brothers and sisters, it helps me to put into perspective how we all are fighting this fight. That is isn't just us, or the Army, or the Navy, or even the Marines. It is all of those plus the Reservists and Guardsmen and coalition forces here. When an operation happens, we work together. It is never just one of us doing all the work. Ultimately, we all share in the victories together, and we mourn the losses together. We are definitely a team.
What do you miss the most? My bed. I'd love to be able to lay down in my California King bed, all soft and warm and be able to sleep without aircraft flying around all hours of the night.
How is your job that you are doing now different from the job back stateside? For the most part nothing is different. I do exactly the same thing here that I do back home. The only thing is I have two additional duties here that I don't back home. Here I am the officer in charge of the Honor Guard and manage the administrative side of protocol here. Back home I work for the chief of protocol who does all that.
Have you tried the local cuisine? Actually, yes. Several times in fact. Within my first month here, I was invited to attend a dinner with my boss where we had real Turkish cuisine. It was definitely the best meal I had. I have also been invited to several meals hosted by the Commander of the Afghan National Army Air Corp and he served traditional Afghan cuisine. I had never had lamb kabobs before, and they were delicious. Plus, it was very interesting to see how they cook their food.
What do you think about what you hear on the news from what is going on stateside? It is amazing all the things that happen when you are gone. The worst part is you don't normally hear about it until 24 hours after it happens. With everything going on in Haiti and then to think that it is warmer here than in Virginia, sometimes I wish I was home so I could be doing something to help those out back there.
Do you have plans for any extra money that you might be making from this deployment? I'm going to be responsible and pay off my debt and then put the rest into savings.
About when are you to return? March