BALAD AIR BASE, Iraq.  –  
            
            Staff Sgt. Justin Walling
Home Unit: 1st Logistics Readiness Squadron 
Location: Joint Base Balad, Iraq 
What do you do? Vehicle maintenance mechanic 
What's a day in the life like ... while in (where ever)? Eat, sleep and turn wrenches 
What's the most useful item you packed? Boots 
When did you realize you "weren't in Kansas anymore;" aka your "Dorothy" moment? Arrival at Al Udeid 
What's the best part of the deployment? My one day off a week. 
The worst part? Only one day off a week. 
What do you do during down time? Talk to my family. 
What is the first thing you will do when you return? Kiss my wife and two daughters 
What is the first thing you will eat when you return? Olive Garden and my wife's macaroni and cheese 
What insight/experience will you take away from your time over there? Every deployment is different. 
What do you miss the most? My pets. 
Do you have plans for any extra money that you might be making from this deployment? 
Take a trip.