1LT Michael Johnson begins his interview with an explanation of how the Air Force operates weather terms within the Iraq Theater. He relates how the Air Force places weather terms within the Army Brigade Combat Teams and Divisions, as well as...
Chaplain (CH) Dunn discusses his pre-mobilization Religious Support training. He notes his dissatisfaction with "too many PowerPoint briefings and not enough hands on training". Dunn relates that a mock memorial ceremony training block was...
COL Foshee chronicles how he planned and oversaw the nine-month train up of his detachment prior to mobilization in June 2009. COL Foshee relates the particular challenges of a molding a widely separated group of USAR Soldiers into a cohesive...
COL Thomas McCune served as the brigade flight surgeon with Task Force 38 in 2010 at Joint Base Balad (JBB) in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF). In this April 2010 interview, COL McCune gives a detailed description of the process for a...
CPT Harlan provides a detail-rich narrative of his service as an Infantry Company Executive Officer (XO) during his first Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) deployment from December 2004 through June 2006. In his narrative, Harlan describes his...
CPT Polyniak discusses his deployment in support of the Global War on Terror from 22 March thru 10 November 2008 at Joint Base Balad (JBB). This deployment was CPT Polyniak's fourth, and he provides many interesting contrasts with his earlier...
CPT Raychad Vannatta served as company commander of Bravo Company, 1-137th Aviation Regiment at Joint Base Balad (JBB), Iraq during 2008 and 2009 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF). In this December 2009 interview, CPT Vannatta discusses...
CPT Reuben Rieke provides a detailed description of his close interaction with the assigned Corps level Medical Evacuation (MEDEVAC) Company. Rieke describes his interaction with the company commander on issues of planning how to best execute...
CPT Toomer gives a detailed discussion of the operations of his Forward Support Company in providing support to Task Force Pegasus. Toomer notes because of the Forward Operating Base (FOB)-centric nature of his deployment, his unit's largest...
CPT Vander Lugt, commander of A/1-52 Aviation Regiment, describes the background of his company's deployment to Iraq. He describes how his Command and Control (CAC) Company was detached from its parent General Support Aviation Battalion (GSAB),...
CSM Thomas relates some of the challenges his battalion had in conducting maintenance in theater. He describes the National Guard maintenance system, where full time maintainers are wage grade Federal Technicians performing maintenance support for...
CSM Watson discusses his preparations for mobilization, and his interactions with the HHC First Sergeant (1SG) and Brigade Operations Sergeant Major. CSM Watson relates struggling with deciding when to notify his employer and family about the...
CW4 Carella describes his role as the commander's advisor on all safety matters within the Corps Aviation Task Force, particularly how best to adhere to published safety standards. Carella outlines his interaction with the Brigade STANDS...
In his interview, CPT Beagle describes his role as a Medical Operations officer for a Combat Aviation Brigade (CAB) headquarters. Beagle relates the challenges of reducing the clinic from a 24-hour operation to limited duty hours due to the...
In this end of tour interview, LTC Digiacomo relates his experiences as a Assault Helicopter battalion commander during a yearlong deployment to Joint Base Balad, Iraq. LTC Digiacomo discusses the challenges his task force faced in flying...
In this interview Captain Amber Anderson describes her experiences as a platoon leader assigned to the 215th Area Support Medical Company deployed during Operation Iraqi Freedom starting in October 2008. Upon her deployment into Iraq, CPT Anderson...