</ Posted on 02/21/2004 6:43:43 PM PST by Ragtime Cowgirl
</ | Kickin’ it in Kirkuk by Senior Airman Nishant Roy 50th Space Wing Security Forces Squadron 2/20/2004 - KIRKUK AIR BASE, Iraq (AFPN) -- Four months ago, Schriever Air Force Base deployed a nine-person team from the 50th Security Forces squadron to support Operation Iraqi Freedom. I am one of the nine. Our destination was Kirkuk Air Base, Iraq, a city declared to be the second most important in Iraq by Gen. Tommy Franks, former commander of U.S. Central Command. In April of last year, the Army took over Kirkuk and it became a key strategic base for military planners. Security forces are playing an extremely unique role here. Unlike bases such as those at Baghdad or Tallil, where the Army works jointly with Iraqi police at security checkpoints located sporadically throughout the perimeter of the base, Air Force security forces here are working perimeter security all the way down to the resources in Kirkuk. This hasn’t happened since the Vietnam era. Terrorist groups have been so despondent with America’s progress in Iraq that they continue to perform cowardly acts of terrorism toward the base. We have experienced attacks from numerous weapons including mortars, rocket-propelled grenades and small arms fire. Unlike most bases “down range,” security forces are working a four-day-on and one-day-off schedule, accomplishing almost 80 hours of labor a week, increasing the proactive approach to combating terrorism. Off-base patrols and convoys have been set-up, which resulted in the recovery of numerous weapons like rockets, Kalishnikov rifles and improvised explosive devices. At one point, our convoys had a chance to visit former high-profile Iraqi regime leaders’ homes. Terrorists have taken normal, everyday things and have turned them into possible threats. An example of this is found when people leave their soda can on top of their vehicle. Terrorists noticed this habit so they and have fashioned explosive devices to look like soda cans. On different occasions, our security forces teams have received fire while manning their posts, and craters from rocket impacts can be found throughout the base. Fortunately, no one has paid the ultimate price while defending against these attacks. That cannot be said for the convoys that travel off base. Not too long ago, the 4th Infantry Division was in a convoy when a Humvee was destroyed by an improvised explosive device just 25 miles south of Kirkuk. Three soldiers lost their lives in the blast. As the Schriever team prepares to return to Colorado in March, they will not depart without leaving their footprint on the development and operation of Kirkuk Air Base. When I asked the team what they had learned from this experience, they all agreed that they had discovered a lot about each other, grown in maturity and learned how to deal with adversity. For example the 506th Air Expeditionary Group, which we are attached to, hasn’t had luxuries such as hot water, electricity and a warm meal in the dining facility. When we first got here we were basically working with a bare base, living in tents, eating meals-ready-to-eat, and wondering day to day if we were going to have hot water to bathe in or a warm post to go to at work. Though it hasn’t been easy, we consider it a privilege to be a part of the freeing of Iraq. Make no mistake! In the midst of the adversity that comes with fighting against terrorism, each member of this team is proud to be serving the United States in this capacity. This deployment is truly a historical and monumental time for all of us. |
Thank you airman, for all you have done. 81 SPS (1979-1985)
Thank you airman, for all you have done. 81 SPS (1979-1985)
....Security forces are playing an extremely unique role here...
THANK you for all you do for our troops.
You are AMAZING! :o)
Thank you!
I haven't yet taken my tank out of the garage....but it's ready, if we need it...soon as I find out how it works. *g*
Nice!
Lol, yes! LindaSOG built it.
(Freepers are amazingly resourceful and generous.)
Tank = plan "B" "C" "D" ~ it's a flexible plan*.
* Peace through strength.
Hoo ah!!
(^:
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