FORWARD OPERATING BASE WAR EAGLE, Iraq –
The fight to bring security to the people of Iraq requires all branches of the military to work together, bringing Airmen and Soldiers side by side.
Senior Airman Kathleen Gasque, a network analyst deployed from Langley, is one of many Airmen who fight alongside other servicemembers for the freedom of the United States and Iraq.
As a part of the weapons intelligence team, Airman Gasque works with explosive ordinance disposal teams for Multi-National Division, Baghdad, to fight the threat of improvised explosive devices.
"We do crime scene investigations on bomb sites, conducting post-blast analysis to help us combat future attacks and track the IED cells where the deadly weapons originate," Airman Gasque said.
Airman Gasque, a native of Marion, S.C., admitted to a little culture shock as she began working with the Soldiers of the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, but the Soldiers have made her welcome and a part of the MND-B team.
"It was a little different coming into this environment dominated by Soldiers, but we are all here for the same reason - to serve our country," she said.
Airman Gasque volunteered for a one-year joint source solution deployment. She said she doesn't regret any of it.
"I do a lot of analytical work with the Army intelligence guys and really enjoy the things I get to do here - plus I get to do something for my fellow servicemembers," she said.
Army Sgt. 1st Class Kenneth Stolp, the Brigade Intelligence Section NCO in charge and a Denver native, said he is proud to have Airman Gasque as a member of the team.
"There is no real difference between an Airman and a Soldier - we are all professionals and take our work seriously," Sergeant Stolp said.