BALAD AIR BASE, Iraq –
Staff Sgt. Monique Barnes
Home Unit: 1st Logistics Readiness Squadron
Location: Joint Base Balad, Iraq
What do you do? I am a vehicle maintainer
What's a day in the life like ... while in (where ever)? Well, it gets really busy. There is a vehicle fleet that just as big as Langley, so we are constantly on the job.
What will you remember about your deployment 20 years from now? I will remember my current chief, Chief Jordan.
What's the most useful item you packed? The most useful items I packed were winter gear. It gets really cold here and I wouldn't have a chance without them.
When did you realize you "weren't in Kansas anymore;" aka your "Dorothy" moment? I realized this when I worked 10 straight days without a day off.
What has been the highlight of your tour? The highlight of my tour has been meeting the group of outstanding individuals I've met.
What's the best part of the deployment? Getting to do my job in a new environment
The worst part? Being away from home
What new survival skill have you learned? I haven't really learned any new survival skills since I've been here, but I just hope when I get home and hear a siren, I don't jump down for cover.
What do you do during down time? I am currently in the JBB honor guard and having a blast doing it.
What is the first thing you will do when you return? I am going shopping when I get home. I have a lot of tax-free money and a lot of closet space.
What is the first thing you will eat when you return? I would love to have some Jamaican food.