JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq –
Tech Sgt. Jose G. Medina
Home Unit: 1 Operations Support Squadron/OSAT
Location: Joint Base Balad, Iraq
What do you do? Air traffic Controller; Tower Watch Supervisor
What's a day in the life like while in Iraq? Get up, go to work, hit the gym for an hour or so, have dinner, volunteer, call my family (when I can) and finally go to bed.
What will you remember about your deployment 20 years from now? The amount of aircraft traffic at the base and how complex operations here can be.
What's the most useful item you packed? My computer; it's my link to my family and friends.
When did you realize you "weren't in Kansas anymore;" aka your "Dorothy" moment? As soon as we landed here aboard the C-130 and the 120-degree temperatures hit me.
What has been the highlight of your tour? Being able to work toward ending the war here in Iraq.
What's the best part of the deployment? Getting to know so many different servicemembers from around the Armed Forces.
The worst part? The heat.
What new survival skill have you learned? Heart Saver /AED certification.
What do you do during down time? Volunteer work, work out, play some games, and study.
What is the first thing you will do when you return? Kiss my family.
What is the first thing you will eat when you return? Any of my wife's delicious meals.
What insight/experience will you take away from your time over there? Not to take life for granted and to be grateful for all the little things in life.
What do you miss the most? My own bathroom and not having to use shower shoes when taking a shower.
How is your job that you are doing now different from the job back stateside? Here I provided ATC services to the busiest airfield in the AOR, supporting more than 19,000 Army and Air Force combat air operations and deal with more than 325 diverse aircraft. It can be challenging.
Have you tried the local cuisine? Yes; not a big fan of it.
Do you have plans for any extra money that you might be making from this deployment? If so, what will you buy?
I don't plan on buying anything for myself; however, I;m looking forward to having a very good family vacation.
About when are you to return? Last week of January 2010.