LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. –
Front Line Warrior: Capt. Christopher Deville
Deployed Unit: 321st Expeditionary Mission Support Advisory Group
Duty Title: Communications advisor
Home Unit: Air Combat Command Inspector General staff
Hometown: Ville Platte, La.
Time in Service: Active duty Air Force just under 20 years
Describe your deployed duty and the tools you use to accomplish it: I serve as an advisor to the Iraqi Air Force at New Al Muthana Air Base in Baghdad, Iraq. This unique mission requires a deep understanding of Iraqi culture, most of which I've acquired through the Air Advisory Course at Fort Dix, N.J., and through daily interaction with my Iraqi partners.
What do you bring to the fight? As a communications officer, I have been able to provide insight to the Iraqi leadership here about what tools and technology they might consider to improve their communications support to their airlift mission. More generally, as a leader, I have been able to advise the air base commander on many issues regarding mission support.
What are you overall thoughts and opinions about your mission there? I've experienced many small "tactical" victories like coordinating various training events and exercises between U.S. forces and our Iraqi counterparts; however, I am fearful for my Iraqi friends of the persistent, insidious insurgency threat that lingers.