Peace on earth not just holiday motto for deployed engineers

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Randy LeMay
  • 916th Public Affairs Office
Kirkuk Regional Air Base, Iraq --  "It's not a vacation over here," said Tech. Sgt. Laurie Stensland, wastewater treatment plant operator.

For members of the 916th Civil Engineer Squadron working 10 to 12 hour days are a part of their normal schedule and deployments are no exceptions. After arriving at Kirkuk Regional Air Base, Iraq in September 2006 these members provide much needed manpower support in an array of job fields.

Although Air Force personnel are restricted to the base, these reservists still notice their surroundings such as the local scenery and weather.

Senior Airman Gary Dantzer, emergency management journeyman, 506th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron, explains that the terrain is rugged with rocks and mountains you can see around the base and farther down from Kirkuk City.

While most people think Iraq is a desert climate, temperatures are not that far-off from North Carolina.

"The temperatures are much like that back home this time of year," stated Senior Airman Everette Blacknall, logistic custodian and technician, 506th ECES. "It is pleasant during the day; cool at night and the sunsets here are very beautiful."

This is Airman Blacknall's second deployment to the Middle East, working mostly with Air Force personnel. "I've assisted in some joint training with the Army, Navy and civilian contractors as well as some international forces," he added.

"It is hard being away from family and friends during the holidays," said Sergeant Stensland, 506th ECES, "but we are helping with the mission to give the local people back their democracy."

Sergeant Stensland became a member of the 916th CES in March 1993 and since the Sept. 11 attacks, she is making her third deployment.

Airman Blacknall works in the 506th Emergency Management Flight and is responsible for the chemical, biological, nuclear and radiological detection equipment.

As an emergency operation center member, Airman Blacknall responds to many actual attacks, group exercises and helps to collect information for the 506th Air Expeditionary Group commander

"Our job here does not differ from our job at the 916th CES," said Airman Blacknall, "here we apply what we have learned and are trained to do."

Airman Dantzer explained that on normal days they make sure that the base emergency plan is up to date and provide assistance to base organizations on the detection equipment operations if they require it.

"Over here we get real world experience for our job field and that experience is invaluable," said Airman Dantzer. "We respond to attacks from mortars and rockets and we don't spend time on training as much as we do at our home station."

"It's awesome seeing the mission and being part of it up front," said Lt. Col. Kerri Grimes, operations flight commander, 506th ECES. "You certainly can't get a valid opinion of the war by
watching it on TV."

While Colonel Grimes misses family, friends and grilled chicken salad terribly, she is very thankful to her husband for holding down the fort and allowing her to serve her country.
"I've participated in several ramp ceremonies since I've been here," said Colonel Grimes. "It's both humbling and a great honor to show my respect and gratitude to my Army brethren who have paid the ultimate price for our freedom. It means so much to the Army to have the Air Force on the ramp at all hours of the night, standing in the extreme heat or cold. It's a privilege to be here."

While Christmas and New Year's was spent in Iraq the deployed members of this squadron tried to make the best of it. They celebrated in a usual fashion - visiting friends in other work areas, wrapping up and presenting gifts to their Army counterparts, playing games, watching football, calling home and relaxing.

"Even though it is hard being away from loved ones, it's been an eye opening experience for me and I have learned a lot and shared a lot," added Airman Blacknall. "I've had a great opportunity to meet and talk to a variety of people from U.S. military members, civilians and some International Forces. It seems that we all want the same thing...and that's peace."