NORTHERN Iraq –
Name: Staff Sgt. Heidi Davis
Home Unit: 1st Fighter Wing Public Affairs
Location: Special Operations Task Force - Northern Iraq
What do you do? I am a photojournalist supporting the mission of U.S. Army Special Forces. I write articles and photographs which support the Foreign Internal Defense partnership between the Iraqis and U.S. Coalition forces, improvements in the lives of Iraqi people and any other events which illustrate the Iraqi forces' capability to execute operations with little to no Coalition forces assistance.
What's a day in the life like ... while in Iraq? It depends. When I'm not travelling, I work in a Joint Operations Center monitoring operations, writing news releases, conducting media scans and reading situational reports from the various teams looking for article opportunities. Most of the time I'm travelling though from team to team.
What will you remember about your deployment 20 years from now? My trip to Kurdistan in early February. For a few days, I forgot I was in Iraq as we drove through snow peaked mountain ranges, explored downtown Sulaymineyah and interacted with the people. In one week, the U.S. Coalition forces team opened a clinic, a new school and escorted a boy to an orthopedic surgeon. It was the most rewarding experience of my deployment.
What's the most useful item you packed? The 10 tubes of Bath & Body Works anti-bacterial lotions that have kept me from getting sick. Lather, lather, lather. The smell reminds me of home, the lotion keeps my hands from getting dried out by the dirt in the air and the anti-bacterial formula has come in handy following the many "meet and greets."
When did you realize you "weren't in Kansas anymore;" aka your "Dorothy" moment? This actually did not come until a few months into my deployment when I realized what had become normal to me: anytime I found an indoor bathroom it felt like Christmas, a paved road became a natural wonder of the world, craving Iraqi chai tea, thinking anything less than a 12-hour workday is slacking, feeling "naked" without my M-16 slung over my back, and thinking the only modes of transportation are fixed wing or rotary.
What has been the highlight of your tour? Sightseeing throughout Iraq. I've been to Al Kut twice, Basrah, Balad, Baghdad, the IZ, Tikrit, Sulaymineyah, Halabja, Penjuwin, Kurdistan and that's just in the first three months. The experience has been incredible! I've flown on several helicopters, cargo planes and Sherpas and travelled on various convoys in mountain ranges, crowded streets and country roads.
What's the best part of the deployment? Seeing the articles I have written posted on several Web sites and knowing that they are also translated to Arabic. With 75-80 percent of the population of Arabic descent, there are an additional 500 media outlets at my disposal. It's rewarding to know that my photos and articles are reaching not only Coalition forces, but also the Iraqi people.
The worst part? Well, with a single deployment, I will have managed to be away from home for every major holiday, my birthday as well as my husband's and three boys' birthdays, and my wedding anniversary. I've always been a family-oriented person, so missing the milestones in my children's lives is pretty tough.
What new survival skill have you learned? Surviving the mental game. I wasn't scared patrolling through the streets of Kut at 3 a.m., taking part in an air assault operation or searching female suspects during an operation. The biggest challenge has been reminding myself that this is a chance for growth in my life, but knowing God has put me here for a purpose that is bigger than all the inconveniences I may face out here. I know that I'm part of the big picture in this war, and sometimes, that's all that I need to keep me pressing on.
What do you do during down time? I've become a reader. Because of my unpredictable work schedule, I don't get the chance to go to the chapel. So, I picked up various books to keep me spiritually on track and my mind stimulated. I'm on my fourth book and already searching for my next.
What is the first thing you will do when you return? Lay a big wet one on my husband's lips! Then we'll hit the child development center so I can surprise my boys.
What is the first thing you will eat when you return? Well I haven't exactly been deprived out here with a Pizza Hut here, a Green Bean Coffee there. But, I'll have a Raptor burger.
What insight/experience will you take away from your time over there? I'm stronger than I think. I CAN adapt to change and actually invite it. I'm capable of surviving on my own, working 36 hours plus and will always be passionate about each and every article I write.
What do you miss the most? Opening my eyes in the morning to see my 4-year-old standing next to my bed, staring at me until I get up and make him breakfast.
How is your job that you are doing now different from the job back stateside? I work in a joint environment with Army special forces and am one of three women on the entire compound. I write about civil affairs projects, special operations, foreign internal defense training with Iraqis and large milestones in Operation Iraqi Freedom. Basically, I am writing for a much larger audience with a much larger mission.
Have you tried the local cuisine? It's been an inevitable experience. I rather enjoy it. I've had lamb, goat, ground beef with spices, tons of rice and the best bread in the world. The chai tea is incredible, and the pistachio pastries are to die for. Uh, bad choice of words. Their delicious!
What do you think about what you hear on the news from what is going on stateside?
This is a difficult question to answer as a military person commanded to be loyal and supportive to the president. With that said, I may not agree with the laws being passed, but she's still my country, whom I will continue to serve proudly at home or away.
Do you have plans for any extra money that you might be making from this deployment? Since God has provided a means for my family to pay off debt despite the falling economic situation of the country, we are taking full advantage. We are also taking a small portion to take our first a family vacation, which will be to Myrtle Beach, S.C. at the end of the summer.