BAGRAM AIR BASE, Afghanistan –
Tech. Sgt. Courtney Walden
Home Unit: 1st Logistics Readiness Squadron
Location: Bagram Afghanistan
What do you do? Maintenance Supply Liaison
What's a day in the life like ... while in (where ever)? Go to the dining facility, gym, work and sometimes get coffee with friends at the Green Bean (like Starbucks...but not).
What will you remember about your deployment 20 years from now? The history that is being made here in Afghanistan will be in the history books for sure. I am proud that my work-efforts have directly impacted the aircraft flying missions, ensuring the freedom of the Afghan people, and my countrymen.
What's the most useful item you packed? My sleep mask.
When did you realize you "weren't in Kansas anymore;" aka your "Dorothy" moment? When I realized that we were sharing the latrine with about one hundred women.
What has been the highlight of your tour? Getting to work out everyday.
What's the best part of the deployment? Meeting new people and seeing people I've worked with before.
The worst part? Being away from my husband and daughter.
What new survival skill have you learned? I learned to take three minute showers and that I can sleep through just about anything.
What do you do during down time? Read, workout, and Skype with my family and friends.
What is the first thing you will do when you return? Kiss and hug my family
What is the first thing you will eat when you return? My husband's penne rustica and a glass of red wine.
What insight/experience will you take away from your time over there? The AF is part of a unique joint puzzle that works well with our sister services.. Also that AF leaders work hard to consider the people behind the mission; we're not just a number. They do care.
What do you miss the most? I most miss being barefoot in the shower.
R info while your are still deployed.
How is your job that you are doing now different from the job back stateside? I am working outside LRS with the Maintenance Group. I have a new appreciation for how much is going on out on the flightline.
Have you tried the local cuisine? No
What do you think about what you hear on the news from what is going on stateside?
(i.e. presidential election, gas prices, immigration, missing children, etc.)--- The purpose of this question is to see how trivial things become when you are directly in a war situation. It makes me sad, that there isn't more coverage about the loss of any American soldiers. The war at times seems to be so trivial to some news organizations. They give a lot of coverage about the wacky or criminal things a soldier might do, but very little about the deaths, and who they were.
Do you have plans for any extra money that you might be making from this deployment? Pay off my car, credit card, and go to Disneyworld's RV camp.
If so, what will you buy? I will buy new clothes and a trip to the hair salon.