BAGRAM AIR BASE, Afghanistan –
Name: Airman 1st Class Lynise A. McMackin
Home Unit: 1st Fighter Wing Legal Office
Location: Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan
What do you do? Force Protection (TCN Escort)
What's a day in the life like ... while at Bagram? We start early, 5 a.m., and head out to our assigned sites around 6:30 a.m. All of the sites are located next to, or near the flight line, and rarely have shade or seats. We spend normally 12 hours escorting the third country nationals while they do construction. It's hot and boring, but someone has to do it. Once the TCNs rap up for the day, we head back to our tent, do a hot wash for the day, and are released.
What will you remember about your deployment 20 years from now? Definitely the four days it took to get there, the interesting people that I worked with, meeting Trace Adkins, and probably how good the food was.
What's the most useful item you packed? Sunscreen
When did you realize you "weren't in Kansas anymore;" aka your "Dorothy" moment? The moment we stepped off the plane!
What has been the highlight of your tour? So far, the Trace Adkins concert.
What's the best part of the deployment? It gives you an opportunity to step back and evaluate your life. It is very humbling. Meeting the TCNs who work so hard and make $5 a day really makes you appreciate life back in the states.
The worst part? Combat showers and four to five day laundry turn around.
What new survival skill have you learned? Be creative, pretty much, in finding shade and in keeping yourself alert for 12 hours.
What do you do during down time? Work out and volunteer. I try to do a couple of fun things a week, like salsa lessons or movie night under the stars.
What is the first thing you will do when you return? The first thing I'll do is probably take a shower...a nice long shower!
What is the first thing you will do and eat when you return? Eat sushi.
What insight/experience will you take away from your time over there? Appreciate the small things.
What do you miss the most? Civilian clothes.
How is your job that you are doing now different from the job back stateside?
Wow! Not even close! In the states I spend the majority of my day at a desk, working hard no doubt, but inside. Here, I'm outside all day, and I have to carry an M16 and M9.
Have you tried the local cuisine? No. The TCNs offer it daily, but I haven't been brave enough to try it.
What do you think about what you hear on the news from what is going on stateside? I usually watch the news while I work out, and pretty much just shake my head.
Do you have plans for any extra money that you might be making from this deployment? Debt and saving up for furniture when I, or if I ever get to, move out of the dorms.