JOINT BASE CHARLESTON –
First, I want to say thank you to security forces, civil engineers, fellow logisticians, and all other Airmen and civilians who have deployed to Afghanistan or Iraq. In this commentary, I want to discuss some of the lessons I learned based on my experiences in Afghanistan.
Although the title of my commentary says 550 days in Afghanistan, I spent 85 days at Combat Skills Training preparing for a 365 Joint Expeditionary Tasking and a six month JET deployment.
In preparing for my deployment, I left home on my birthday and had to miss my youngest daughter's birth to attend CST at Fort Riley, Kan. For my wife, this was our first deployment, and she made a point of attending my CST graduation which was a blessing as I was leaving for Afghanistan the next day. My wife was under considerable stress as she had just given birth, had to sell our house and move the family to Chicago. She was learning first-hand how deployments may be more difficult on the home front than on the front lines.
Fast forward to Camp Eggers, Afghanistan where I spent a few days learning about the Afghan logistics system before going to my Forward Operating Base. While waiting on transportation, I met Master Sgt. Randy Gillespe, from Luke Air Force Base, Ariz. He had just adopted two daughters but insisted on deploying to set an example for his Airmen. I didn't know at the time that I would never see Sergeant Gillespe again.
I ended up at the Forward Support Depot at Gardez and Sergeant Gillespe went his way to the FSD at Herat. Our mission was to mentor the Afghan National Army on their supply, vehicles, fuel and ammunition distribution. On July 9, 2007, Sergeant Gillespe died of his wounds after a fire-fight with insurgents who were wearing Afghan National Army uniforms. The reality of where I was came crashing home. Sergeant Gillespe was an American hero and I will always remember him. You can read more about Randy at
http://www.afa.org/Portraits/2008/portrait_Gillespe.asp.
Mortar attacks at night were routine and terrifying. If there was a full moon and little wind, it was almost a certainty that a mortar(s) would be "incoming" that night. Fortunately, no one at my FOB was injured from a mortar attack during the entire year I was there.
As a mentor for Combined Security Transition Command - Afghanistan, living on Task Force Phoenix FOB was a unique experience. I had to wear numerous hats as I reported to the Air Force for administrative matters, CSTC-A for operational orders and TF Phoenix for tactical control if there was a firefight. Reporting to three separate commands required my full attention and the days were long. Not only was I in a war zone in a foreign country, I had to ensure that I upheld the values of the Air Force and perform 110 percent, 100 percent of the time. There was no room for error and the old adage `attention to detail' never meant more than it did in Afghanistan. I learned quickly that lack of attention to detail kills.
I finished up my 550 days at U.S. Forces Afghanistan Headquarters in the operations staff. As a logistician, I found myself managing the entire request for forces for all services in Afghanistan. It was a learning curve and I found myself briefing the two-star general and reviewing final force requests prior to the Secretary of Defense's signature. The hours we worked were longer than long; Afghan business during the day and Central Command (Tampa, Fla,) business in the evening, resulting in 14-hour, seven-day work weeks. It took everything I had, both physically and mentally to meet the challenge.
Deployments are not easy. They are difficult on the families left behind and they are difficult for the servicemembers that go into harm's way. What I've described in this commentary probably sounds familiar to all of you who have answered our country's call. If I can offer any advice that I learned during my time away from home is that there are ways to dial down the stress level, for you and your family.
When deployed, learn to balance the day to day activities, long meetings and routine stress by finding outlets to immerse yourself in, even if it's only a few minutes a day. Movie nights, volleyball, exercise and other sporting activities can help break the monotony. Keeping in contact with loved ones by email or telephone made all the difference for my wife and me. Care packages with little toys or snacks were welcomed surprises, too. A group of company grade officers would take daily walks around the compound, but the sniper alert signs discouraged me from participating in those walks.
Find what motivates you, whether it is service to your country, setting the example for your Airmen, or improving the rights and freedoms for local civilians. Leadership, trusting and supporting your wingman, knowing your weapons, tactics, techniques and procedures and having a plan to deal with stress will allow you to succeed.