DEPLOYED AIRMAN GROWS DESERT CROP (Neat Story from Iraq)

Air Force Email ^ | 21 May 2003 | SSgt James Anderson

[PhiKapMom]

Deployed airman grows desert crop

by Staff Sgt. James Anderson
379th Precision Measurement Equipment Laboratory

OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM (AFPN) -- One look around this forward-deployed location shows most people there is nothing green to be had in the country.

It is said that when airmen here return home, everything with color will be infinitely more brilliant. Grass will be much greener, and flowers will be far more colorful and vibrant.

Senior Airman Dusty Bailey did not want to wait that long. He saw that even in the vast desert, there is potential for real plant life, and he isn't letting climate stand in his way.

Bailey, assigned to the 379th Precision Measurement Equipment Laboratory, and is from a small town in northern Florida filled with watermelon farms.

He started doing some research and discovered that watermelons were first grown in Africa's Kalahari Desert. He figured if they could grow there, why not in the desert of Southwest Asia.

Armed with a handful of power tools, and a junkyard full of scrap wood, he set out to build the box that would hold the melons. Once finished, the box was pushed, pulled, poked and prodded into position atop a hardened-shelter roof and filled with sand, potting soil and eventually some watermelon sprouts.

Seeds were allowed to gestate in some half-liter water bottles full of sand for two weeks. Out of the sand in the bottles grew several little shoots. The fledgling watermelons had indeed sprouted into several tiny little plants. When they were ready Bailey carefully planted them into the sand in the box.

There they have flourished for two months. They are tall and strong. Fed by reconstituted water from an air conditioner and leftover water bottles, they are growing at a fantastic rate.

Bailey estimates the first crop of melons will be ready by mid-July.

"Even if we don't get a watermelon for this rotation, there will be some for a future rotation," said Bailey. "That's my legacy."

[PhiKapMom]

Thought this was a neat story about an Airman's desire to see some green in Iraq!

[PhiKapMom]

This isn't about the election, but thought you would all enjoy reading this neat story about an Airman growing watermelons!

[Maigrey]

Now that's what I would call Rebel ingeunity! I wonder if the locals are learning this from him?

[Utah Girl]

This is such a cool story! Thanks for the ping.

[Mo1]

What a cool story .. thanks

[McGavin999]

What a great story. Melons should grow really well in Iraq, maybe this guy should contact the HQ in Baghdad and let them know about his success.

[Miss Marple]

Great story! Thanks!

[FreedomCalls]

His name is "Dusty" and he's deployed to the Desert! Sounds like he was born to go there.

[Conservababe]

Yes, maybe we can give Iraqis a taste for watermelons.

From the news during the war, the only thing they offered our troops were tomatoes, cucumbers and hot tea.

[katz]

Thanks. I really enjoy positive stories.

[Utah Girl]

I thought you would enjoy this story.

[PhiKapMom]

This went out on the Air Force Wire Service and sure hope some folks in Baghdad pick up on it!

[PhiKapMom]

Get tired of all the negative stories I read, and figured this was a keeper when I got it in email!

[Maigrey]

Watermelon Ping!

[Tennessee_Bob]

Figures - PMEL pukes never have anything better to do.

And yes, I'm allowed to say that - I was a jet engine mechanic who had a PMEL puke for a roommate in the barracks. Guy came home complaining because he got dirty - had a smudge of grease on his neatly pressed uniform - didn't know what JP-4 smelled like. Must have been nice to stay clean all the time - and in the air conditioning.

Good going, Dusty - this former Staff Sergeant is proud of you.

[hoosiermama]

Great story!m THanks for sharing!

[PhiKapMom]

That's funny!

[McGavin999]

They should be able to do melons real well. Didn't Persian melons come from Iran? I know that roses did.

[octobersky]

Cool story! Thanks for sharing!

[MeekOneGOP]

This isn't about the election, but thought you would all enjoy reading this neat story about an Airman growing watermelons!

Cool ! :O)