TALL AFAR, Iraq –
Master Sgt. Anthony White
Home Unit: Air Combat Command Headquarters A4RXD
Location: Tall Afar, Iraq
What do you do? Detachment Chief Air Terminal Operation Center
What's a day in the life like ... while in Tall Afar? The days here seem a little long at times. The atmosphere is not as bad as one would think coming to this location. Once you establish a daily routine it makes the day productive.
What will you remember about your deployment 20 years from now? I will remember the people that worked for me and how professional the positive attitude they displayed were.
What's the most useful item you packed? My laptop computer
When did you realize you "weren't in Kansas anymore;" aka your "Dorothy" moment? When I went into my living quarters only to realize there was no other room to go to and I would be living in a box for the next six months.
What has been the highlight of your tour? Taking a programming class
What's the best part of the deployment? Working with the personnel I manage because they all have a good approach to doing the job while keeping a positive attitude about it.
The worst part? The heat and the dust
What new survival skill have you learned? To always remain alert and attentive to the things around you
What do you do during down time? Take a class and work out
What is the first thing you will do when you return? Go and pick up my son from friends and visit my daughter at her university
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What is the first thing you will eat when you return? A good home cooked meal or go to the International House of Pancakes.
What insight/experience will you take away from your time over there? Always learn to appreciate the things you are blessed with and never take anything for granted.
What do you miss the most? The convenience of being able to go to other places
How is your job that you are doing now different from the job back stateside? Back home I have an office job but here I have a field job where I supervise seven people.
Have you tried the local cuisine? No, we are behind the wire and not authorized to venture out into the community.
What do you think about what you hear on the news from what is going on stateside?
I don't really try to think about the news much, as I try to stay focused on the task at hand.
Do you have plans for any extra money that you might be making from this deployment? Yes, to pay off some debts and save what I can.
About when are you to return? December 2009