SOUTWEST ASIA –
Name: Senior Airman Wesley Hoffman
Home Unit: 30th Intelligence Squadron
What do you do? Electronic Signals Intelligence Analyst
What's a day in the life like ... while in Southwest Asia?
My days are filled watching screens for threats and then sending out warnings if they show up.
What will you remember about your deployment 20 years from now?
I will definitely remember the scenery, or lack thereof.
What's the most useful item you packed?
My physical training gear.
When did you realize you "weren't in Kansas anymore;" aka your "Dorothy" moment? When I walked outside the first day, and it was 115+ degrees, without a single piece of greenery in sight.
What has been the highlight of your tour?
Experiencing a new culture.
What's the best part of the deployment?
Meeting people/old friends and making contacts worldwide.
The worst part?
The "Groundhog Day" feeling.
What new survival skill have you learned?
Be careful of your words.
What do you do during down time?
Just get out and about the base, watch movies and play cards.
What is the first thing you will do and eat when you return?
Sleep in a real bed and eat something home-cooked.
What insight/experience will you take away from your time over there?
Leadership techniques.
What do you miss the most?
Being able to drive anywhere I need to.
How is your job that you are doing now different from the job back stateside?
There are different systems being used out here and I get to see the really big picture of the War on Terrorism.
Have you tried the local cuisine?
Definitely and it has been quite tasty.
What do you think about what you hear on the news from what is going on stateside?
You always see the bad things in the news, never about the guy giving two million to charity.
Do you have plans for any extra money that you might be making from this deployment? Oh yes! I'll take care of the rest of the little bills I have left, and treat myself to a few things I've always wanted like football tickets, up close to the field.