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NEWS | July 28, 2009

Front Line: Staff. Sgt. Mark Young

By Staff Sergeant Mark Young 1sts Logistics Readiness Squadron

Staff Sergeant Mark Young

Home Unit:
1st Logistics Readiness Squadron

Location: Sather Air Base, Iraq

What do you do? Fire truck mechanic

What's a day in the life like ... while at Sather Air Base? Eat, work, shower, eat, relax and sleep

What will you remember about your deployment 20 years from now? Sandstorms

What's the most useful item you packed? Fitted bed sheets, extra PT gear, laptop

When did you realize you "weren't in Kansas anymore;" aka your "Dorothy" moment? It really hasn't affected me that much, it was just over about a year ago.

What has been the highlight of your tour? The daily emails from the wife.

What's the best part of the deployment? Talking on the phone with wife and kids, and to see how they are doing.

What do you do during down time? Relax, watch movies and read.

What is the first thing you will do when you return? Spend time with the wife and kids.

What is the first thing you will eat when you return? Papa John's Pizza

What do you miss the most? (not who) The freedom of going out to eat to a larger variety of restaurants, and of course family.

How is your job that you are doing now different from the job back stateside? I actually get to work on the fire trucks a lot more often.

What do you think about what you hear on the news from what is going on stateside? I try not to think about it unless it directly impacts my family.

Do you have plans for any extra money that you might be making from this deployment? Pay off credit cards.

If so, what will you buy? Buy new clothes for my wife and kids, etc.