FOB WAR EAGLE — The fight to bring security to the people of Iraq requires the cooperation of all branches of the military.
Senior Airman Kathleen Gasque is one of the servicemembers who have taken the responsibility to fight for the freedom of Iraq and her country. Gasque is a member of the weapons intelligence team who works with explosive ordinance disposal teams for Multi-National Division – Baghdad to fight the threat of improvised-explosive devices here.
“We basically 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,” said Gasque.
Coming from the Air Force, Gasque, a native of Marion, SC, 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 in the end we are all here for the same reason, to serve our country,” she continued.
Gasque, a network analyst with the Air Force, volunteered to deploy for one year and doesn’t regret any of it.
“I do a lot of analytical work with the Army intelligence guys and really enjoy the things I am getting to do here, plus I get to do something for my fellow servicemembers,” said Gasque.
Sgt. 1st Class Kenneth Stolp, a native of Denver, and the Brigade Intelligence Section NCOIC has no complaints with Gasque’s work with the unit and is proud to have her 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,” said Stolp. “She is a servicemember in the U.S. military and in regards to the professionalism Airmen, Sailors, Marines and Soldiers uphold the ideals of honor and duty.”