'Bronx girl' drives 120 convoys

Published Feb. 12, 2008
By Master Sgt. Demetrius Lester
455th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

BAGRAM AIR BASE, Afghanistan -- Airman First.

Regardless of what Air Force job individuals may have, being an Airman comes first -- and as a member of the most elite Air Force in history, today's Airman often get the news that Senior Airman Vanessa Velez received when she was first notified of her 365-day deployment.

"I was told, 'you won't be working vehicle maintenance; you will be a driver,'" said Velez, who took the news in stride. "At Fort Bragg I found out I wouldn't be driving shuttles, distinguished visitors, or commanders around in a car or bus like I was mistakenly told at my duty station. I would be driving a fully loaded Humvee outside the wire, in enemy territory at least five times a week."

Velez recalls Lt. Col. Bobby Robinson, who would end up being her Provincial Reconstruction Team commander, telling the team they would be living in tents and riding outside the wire.

"That's when reality set in. At first I was shocked and couldn't believe that a girl from the Bronx, N.Y., was about to be a driver in a hostile situation," said Velez. "I hate to drive with a passion. I'm from New York."

When Velez arrived to Afghanistan, she was assigned to the Bagram PRT, whose mission is to secure and rebuild a post-Taliban Afghanistan by extending the authority of the Afghan central government, improving security and promoting reconstruction. The PRTs Velez and her team lead in Afghanistan have been so successful that Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice has used them as the template to help rebuild Iraq.

"My first convoy, I was so nervous that I kept stomping the brakes until the brake line broke," said Velez, a vehicle maintenance controller with the 6th Logistics Readiness Squadron, MacDill Air Force Base, Fla. "The heat and fluid from the brake line started a fire ... in the middle of Charikar District in Parwan."

More than 120 missions later, no more brake stomping and no more fires. She continues to shuttle the truck and mission commanders outside the wire on a daily basis like she was told, but no buses or Land Cruisers -- just her Humvee. Velez believes she has made a difference for both America and the Afghan people during this war.

"I have learned so much about a lot of things especially my job and the Afghan people," said Velez, who originally thought all Afghans were bad people. "I had the mentality they were all Al-Qaeda and Taliban until I talked to them. After spending time with the Afghans, I learned they don't like the Taliban either. Everything has gotten better since my arrival in March 2007 ... even the roads have improved."

When she's outside the wire, Velez is somewhat of a celebrity with the Afghan children.

"They get excited because they see a female Airman. They want to touch my
hair and earrings. The Afghans want to learn and have a lot of questions. They want to work and take care of their families like most ordinary people do."

This is Velez's third deployment in three years, but she has no regrets.

"I am an Airman first, just like all the services have been preaching," added Velez. "This shows, in this day and age, you could be tasked to do anything to support the war on terror.

"My job satisfaction comes from constantly thinking about all the people's lives I have in my hand," said Velez, who's primary job is getting people back and forth from a mission safely. "My vehicle is my job. I drive so much that my Humvee is my office. I don't have a computer, e-mail, or an office; I have a Humvee."